Protein translocation through the cell plasma membrane

During the past years a number of proteins and peptides were found to be able to translocate through the cell plasma membrane in a non-endocytic mechanism. In our lab we have found that the 4 core histone molecules are able to penetrate the cell membrane of plant and animal cells. Moreover histones were able to medeate the translocation of large molecules such as BSA or small oligo nucleotides through the cell membrane and into the nucleus. The use of such cell penetrating proteins opens the possibility for introducing a verity of molecules into mammalian and plant cells.