[5-FAM]-TAT - Fluorescent Peptides

[5-FAM]-TAT is a cell penetrating cationic peptide derived from the N-terminus of the Tat protein, which is a trans-activator of the transcription protein present in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Specifically TAT (47-57) is located within the arginine-rich basic domain 48-60 of the TAT peptide which as a whole has three domains which function to aid HIV through transactivation, DNA binding and nuclear transport. As a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) TAT aids in the cellular uptake of molecules and hence serves a valuable purpose in transduction methods. This property has been demonstrated through its ability of allowing toxins such as the neurotoxin Botulinum neurotoxin Type A, produced by the Clostridium botulinum type A bacteria to penetrate the skin barrier non-invasively. Additionally TAT (47-57) can be used to deliver proteins, fluorophores, chelators and DNA to target cells. It contains 5-carboxyfluorescein (5-FAM), a widely used green fluorescent tag.