PEG Analogs Synthesized by Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization for Reversible Bioconjugation

Bioconjug Chem. 2018 Nov 21;29(11):3739-3745. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00635. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Abstract

Poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs) with protein-reactive end-groups are widely utilized in bioconjugation reactions. Herein, we describe the use of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) to synthesize unsaturated protein-reactive PEG analogs. These ROMP PEGs (rPEGs) contained terminal aldehyde functionality and ranged in molecular weight from 6 to 20 kDa. The polymers were readily conjugated to free amines on the protein hen egg-white lysozyme (Lyz). Biocompatibility of the unsaturated PEGs was assessed in vitro, revealing the polymers to be nontoxic up to concentrations of at least 1 mg/mL in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The resulting unsaturated rPEG-lysozyme conjugates underwent metathesis-based depolymerization, resulting in decreased molecular weight of the conjugate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes / chemical synthesis
  • Aldehydes / chemistry*
  • Amines / chemical synthesis
  • Amines / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Chickens
  • Models, Molecular
  • Muramidase / chemical synthesis
  • Muramidase / chemistry*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemical synthesis
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Polymerization
  • Proteins / chemistry

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Amines
  • Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • hen egg lysozyme
  • Muramidase