In order to evaluate the ability of the cell-penetrating a-helical amphipathic model peptide KLALKLALKALK AALKLA-NH2 (MAP) to deliver peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) into mammalian cells, MAP was covalently linked to the 12-mer PNA 5¢-GGAGCAGGAAAG-3¢ directed against themRNAof the nociceptin/orphaninFQ receptor. The cellular uptake of both the naked PNA and its MAP-conjugate was studied by means of capillary electrophoresis combined with laser-induced fluorescence detection, confo-cal laser scanningmicroscopyandfluorescence-activatedcell sorting. .
