Definition

A cell-penetrating peptide comprised of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-interacting motif AlkB homologue 2 PCNA interacting motif (APIM) and cell penetration and nuclear localization domains, with potential chemo-sensitizing and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, APIM-containing peptide ATX-101 penetrates cells and targets and disrupts the interactions between PCNA and other APIM-containing proteins. This may result in the downregulation of oncogenic signaling pathways such as MAPK/AKT/ERBB2/EGFR signaling and the inhibition of DNA repair, thereby enhancing the efficacy of some antineoplastic agents and inducing apoptosis. PCNA is a scaffold protein involved in multiple cellular processes via its interactions with many proteins through PCNA-interacting motifs.