Transformation of an antimicrobial peptide into a plasma membrane-permeable, mitochondria-targeted peptide via the substitution of lysine with arginine

Simple substitution of D-lysine with D-arginine in antimicrobial peptide (RLA) considerably improved its membrane permeability and increased mitochondrial accumulation. The potential use of RLA in preventing apoptotic cell death is also demonstrated through delivery of the Bcl-xL BH4 domain peptide.