PNC-27 is a synthetic chimeric peptide with a molecular weight of 4031.72 g/mol, consisting of a p53-derived HDM-2 (human double minute 2) binding domain fused to a cell-penetrating membrane-active sequence. The p53-derived segment corresponds to residues from the transactivation domain of the p53 tumour suppressor protein, the minimal region required for MDM2/HDM-2 binding, while the C-terminal membrane-active domain is designed to facilitate cellular membrane interaction. PNC-27 was designed based on the observation that HDM-2 is overexpressed and aberrantly localised to cell membranes in certain transformed cell populations. Produced via solid-phase peptide synthesis, PNC-27 is associated with MDM2/HDM-2 signalling and membrane integrity pathways.

PNC-27 is a peptide designed to exploit the differential membrane localisation of HDM-2 between normal and transformed cell populations. In vitro studies have documented that PNC-27 binds HDM-2 associated with the plasma membrane of cancer cells and kills them by membranolysis [1]. Structure-function studies have examined the relative contributions of the p53-derived binding domain and the membrane-active leader sequence: a foundational conformational-design study compared three p53-derived fragments and found all three selectively cytotoxic to transformed cells, while sparing normal cells and human cord-blood-derived stem cells [2], and subsequent work has characterised the resulting membrane pores as lined with PNC-27–HDM-2 complexes at approximately 1:1 stoichiometry, with pore formation and cell lysis dependent on membrane-localised HDM-2 expression [3], making PNC-27 a reference compound in preclinical oncology research examining p53-derived, HDM-2-directed membranolytic peptides and the differential membrane localisation of HDM-2 between transformed and normal cell populations.

PNC-27 is manufactured in a cGMP compliant, ISO9001 certified laboratory to a guaranteed purity of 98% or above. Every batch is independently tested using HPLC and MS-UPLC analysis before dispatch. Vials are vacuum sealed and stored in a temperature controlled, monitored cold storage system. Certificates of Analysis are available on request.

Sold strictly for in vitro research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Intended for use by qualified researchers in laboratory settings only.

Editorial Team

Dr. Martina Rossi, PhD

Scientific Contributor and Reviewer

Reviewed and approved 14 June 2026

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