Small acidic peptides and peptidomimetic molecules: Cell growth and differentiation

Small phosphorylated chromatin peptides exert a homeostatic regulation on g ene expression which causes a strong inhibition of RNA synthesis and growth of neoplastic and fast-growing cells and a remarkable activation of metabo lic pathways slowed down in ageing. By biochemical and mass spectrometry an alysis, some molecular models of these peptides have been designed and synt hesised. Recent studies show that it is possible to find peptidomimetic str uctures, such as citric acid, able to reproduce the anti-proliferative effe ct. The mechanism of action has been investigated and partially clarified.