SNIPER Peptide-Mediated Degradation of Endogenous Proteins

Abstract Rapid and reversible methods for altering the function of endogenous proteins are not only indispensable tools for probing complex biological systems, but may potentially drive the development of new therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases. Genetic approaches have provided insights into protein function, but are limited in speed, reversibility and spatiotemporal control. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a peptide‐based method (SNIPER: S elective N at i ve P rotein Er adication) to degrade any given endogenous protein at the post‐translational level by harnessing chaperone‐mediated autophagy, a major intracellular protein degradation pathway. This unit presents a typical strategy in the design and validation of a protein‐knockdown peptide. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.