This chapter describes the identification of a group of peptides called Cell
penetrating peptides (CPP) that are featured by their ability to penetrate the membrane
of different microorganisms. They were identified using the polarity index method
described in Sect. 3.3. For this purpose two classifications were taken into account: non
endocytic and endocytic pathway uptake mechanisms. The peptides studied were taken
from CPPsite Database (CPPsite), and the set of selective cationic amphipatic
antibacterial peptides (SCAAP) described in Sect. 6.3.3. The comparative study of
these two groups made possible the identification of a particular reason for the toxicity
of the selective cationic amphipatic antibacterial peptides.
Keywords: Antibacterial peptides, Carpet-like model, Cell penetrating peptides,
Endocytic pathway, Inverted micelle formation, Matrix Σni=1Qi, Membrane
thinning model, Non endocytic pathway, Polarity index method, Pore formation,
Toroidal model.
