KLA peptide is an antimicrobial peptide with an amphipathic alpha-helical structure and the ability to disrupt mitochondrial membranes. KLA is an important anti-cancer peptide but has poor eukaryotic cell penetrating ability, and consequently requires the assistance of other cell penetrating peptides for effective translocation. Once KLA peptide is internalized into eukaryotic cells, it can destroy mitochondrial membranes and initiate the tumour cell apoptosis process, and many strategies have been employed to facilitate this. KLA peptide exhibits cytotoxicity against human breast cancer and other tumour cells in vivo, slowing tumour growth and extending survival time.
