A novel formulation significantly increases the cytotoxicity of flaxseed orbitides (linusorbs) LOB3 and LOB2 towards human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells

Flaxseed orbitides (linusorbs) are a family of N to C linked bioactive cyclic octa-, nona-, and decapeptides present in flaxseed oil. They are highly hydrophobic and thermally stable. Our previous studies showed that [1-9-NαC]-linusorb B3 (LOB3) and [1-9-NαC]-linusorb B2 (LOB2) exhibited cytotoxic effects towards human breast cancer HER2-subtype Sk-Br-3 cells at a concentration of ~400 μM. However, this high concentration significantly limits their potential clinical applications. In the current study, we developed a novel polyethylene glycol-based formulation for linusorbs and showed that both LOB3 and LOB2, especially LOB3, exhibited strong cytotoxicity towards human breast cancer triple-negative-subtype MDA-MB-231 cells at low nanomolar concentrations.

Correction: Self-assembled fibrillar networks comprised of a naturally-occurring cyclic peptide—LOB3

Correction for ‘Self-assembled fibrillar networks comprised of a naturally-occurring cyclic peptide—LOB3’ by M. A. Rogers et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 40765–40776.

Self-assembled fibrillar networks comprised of a naturally-occurring cyclic peptide—LOB3

LOB3, a naturally-occurring orbitide, is capable of self-assembling into 1D nano-fibers and ultimately 3D molecular gel networks in acetonitrile.