Protein transduction: a new tool for the study of cellular ageing and senescence

Protein transduction can be described as the direct uptake by the cell of exogenous proteins/peptides or protein/peptide:chemical complexes, as a result of a specific property of the protein/peptide component. In this review, the three most widely studied protein transducing activities are described, with particular emphasis on the TAT protein transduction domain. Current progress in protein transduction technology suggests the potential development of a variety of molecular and cell biology tools that will enable researchers to by-pass conventional genetic routes for modulating the cells' biological activity, thus negating many of the problems associated with genetic intervention. The potential application of this class of molecule in the development of tools for the study of senescent populations is discussed.