Fig. 1

Preparation of cancer cell-specific and pro-apoptotic Aposomes. a Chemical structure of SMAC-P-FRRG-DOX. b Purity of prepared SMAC-P-FRRG-DOX. c MALDI-TOF analysis of SMAC-P-FRRG-DOX. d Size distribution of Aposomes in saline (1 mg/ml). e TEM image of Aposomes in distilled water (1 mg/ml). f Stability of Aposomes in saline or mouse plasma (1 mg/ml) for 5 days. The inset pictures indicate representative images of Aposomes in mouse serum conditions. g Release profiles of free DOX, DOXIL and Aposomes. TEM images reveal the particle size and morphology of Aposomes after 72 h of incubation in distilled water. h HPLC spectrum of Aposomes incubated with MES buffer (pH 5.5) containing cathepsin B (10 µg). As a control, SMAC-P-FRRG-DOX in MES buffer in the absence of cathepsin B was analyzed using an HPLC system. (i) HPLC spectrum of Aposomes incubated with cathepsin B with inhibitor (Z-FA-FMK)