Conjugation of spermine enhances cellular uptake of the stapled peptide-based inhibitors of p53-Mdm2 interaction

We report the first synthesis of the C-terminally spermine-conjugated stapled peptide-based inhibitors of the p53-Mdm2 interaction. Subsequent biological, biophysical and cellular uptake assays with the spermine-conjugated stapled peptides revealed that spermine conjugation minimally affects biological activity while significantly increases peptide helicity and cellular uptake without apparent cytotoxicity.