Human peptide transporters: Therapeutic applications

Carsten Uhd Nielsen*, Birger Brodin, Flemming Steen Jørgensen, Sven Frokjaer, Bente Steffansen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

46 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Peptide transporters are epithelial solute carriers. Their functional role has been characterised in the small intestine and proximal tubules, where they are involved in absorption of dietary peptides and peptide reabsorption, respectively. Currently, two peptide transporters, PepT1 and PepT2, which possess transport activity, have been identified. The transporters are not drug targets per se, but due to uniquely broad substrate specificity they have proven to be relevant in drug therapy at the level of drug transport. Therapeutic agents such as orally active β-lactam antibiotics, bestatin, prodrugs of acyclovir and gancyclovir have oral bioavailabilities, which are largely a result of their interaction with PepT1. The transporters have therefore received considerable attention in relation to drug delivery. The aim of the present review is to highlight structural requirements for binding to peptide transporters, as well as their role in drug delivery and in potential future drug design and targeted tissue delivery of peptides and peptidomimetics.

Original languageEnglish
JournalExpert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents
Volume12
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)1329-1350
Number of pages22
ISSN1354-3776
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sep 2002

Keywords

  • β-lactams
  • Angiotensin converting (ACE) inhibitors
  • Bestatin
  • Bisphosphonates
  • Carrier-mediated drug delivery
  • Cephalosporins
  • Di/tripeptide transporter
  • Drug absorption
  • hPepT1
  • hPepT2
  • Oligopeptide transporter
  • Renin inhibitors
  • Thrombin inhibitors
  • Valacyclovir
  • Valgancyclovir

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