title: Branched polymer-protein conjugates made from mid-chain-functional P(HPMA).
abstract: A novel midchain-functional chain transfer agent was synthesized and used as a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization agent to prepare branched poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide) (PHPMA). The P(HPMA) contained a thio-reactive group, namely, pyridyldisulfide midchain. The synthesized polymers were fully analyzed by (1)H NMR, GPC, and hydrolysis, confirming well-defined structures (predesigned molecular weights, narrow polydispersities, and high functionalization efficiencies). These midfunctionalized polymers were incubated with bovine serum albumin to generate protein-polymer conjugates. This straightforward methodology for the synthesis of branched midfunctionalized polymers for protein conjugation has the potential to enhance the properties of polymer-protein conjugates by improving biomolecule stability and enhancing circulation time.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Jingquan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D006868:Hydrolysis; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
chemical_list: D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D011506:Proteins; C011533:Duxon