Pancreatitis is a major global health challenge that affects over 2.7 million people worldwide each year, causing acute and chronic inflammation of the pancreas that can lead to organ failure, long-term digestive problems, diabetes, and substantial healthcare burden. Zymogen granules in pancreatic cells are central to the disease’s pathogenesis yet remain untargeted therapeutically. Existing approaches are indirect and non-specific, while conventional targeting systems like antibodies face limitations in size, cost, and cellular penetration.
To address this, researchers at Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) have developed a minimal peptide motif capable of directing membrane proteins and polypeptides specifically to the zymogen granules of pancreatic cells.
The invention consists of a short, 7-amino acid peptide that, when fused to a molecule of interest, enables its specific transport to intracellular compartments, most notably the zymogen granules of pancreatic acinar cells. The sequence of the peptide follows a defined motif that has been experimentally validated to function both in full-length and truncated protein constructs.
Moreover, the peptide can be integrated in various forms: fused at the C-terminal or inserted as a replacement for existing sorting domains in membrane proteins. This flexibility enables its use in a range of engineered proteins, nanocarriers, and delivery platforms.
Proof-of-concept experiments have been carried out successfully in vitro using a rat pancreatic cell line, testing the efficacy on transporting various aquaporins and other polypeptides of different sizes. Currently, testing of the ability to transport bigger cargo, such as liposomes and other membrane proteins is taking place.
- Only 7 amino acids, allowing no interference with the function of target proteins.
- It demonstrates high precision in directing proteins and polypeptides to zymogen granules of pancreatic acinar cells.
- Opens new possibilities for treating pancreatic diseases by turning zymogen granules into therapeutic targets.
- High versatility for combining the protein domain within a peptide to create hybrid systems, such as liposomes.
The represented institution is looking for a collaboration that leads to a commercial exploitation of the presented invention. The institution’s preferred scenario involves reaching an agreement for technology transfer through either sale or licensing (exclusive or non-exclusive) and collaborating in technology development for practical applications.
Institution: Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Institut de Ciènces del Mar (ICM)
TRL: 3
Protection Status: The research team has filed a Priority Patent Application (EP25382500.4)
Contacto: Elisa Sáenz Gómez | e.saenz@viromii.com