PTD-DBM 5mg

PTD-DBM is a cell-permeable peptide designed to disrupt the axin-dishevelled protein interaction within the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. It combines a protein transduction domain (PTD, derived from the HIV TAT sequence) with a dishevelled-binding motif (DBM) from the axin scaffold protein. The idea is that delivering the DBM intracellularly displaces endogenous axin from its normal interaction with dishevelled, effectively releasing beta-catenin from the destruction complex and activating Wnt target genes.

Research Applications

The compound attracted significant attention after studies showed it could reactivate hair follicle stem cells in aged skin. Hair follicle cycling is Wnt-dependent, and the pathway tends to become less responsive with age. PTD-DBM appeared to reset this in mouse models, prompting new growth from dormant follicles. Whether equivalent effects occur in human follicles -- which cycle differently -- remains an active research question.

Beyond hair biology, PTD-DBM is used to study Wnt pathway dynamics in tissues where beta-catenin activity is difficult to sustain experimentally. Bone regeneration, intestinal crypt maintenance, and fibroblast proliferation in cited models all depend on Wnt signaling, and PTD-DBM offers a way to probe these systems without gene transfection or upstream ligand delivery. The transduction domain gives it decent membrane permeability across cell types, which simplifies experimental design.

Specifications

Storage

Store at -20°C in a dry environment. Reconstitute in sterile PBS or DMEM for cell culture work. The TAT domain makes this peptide sticky -- avoid polystyrene tubes where possible, as adsorption to tube walls can reduce effective concentration. Use within 48 hours of reconstitution for best results.

PTD-DBM is supplied for laboratory research use only. Not approved for human administration. For research purposes only.