Catecholamine Derivatives as Novel Crosslinkers for the Synthesis of Versatile Biopolymers

Abstract

Catecholamine metabolites are not only involved in primary metabolism, but also in secondary metabolism, serving a diverse array of physiologically and biochemically important functions. Melanin, which originates from dopa and dopamine, found in the hair, eye, and skin of all animals, is an important biopolymeric pigment. It provides protection against damaging solar radiation to animals. N-Acetyldopamine and N-β-alanyldopamine play a crucial role in the hardening of the exoskeletons of all insects. In addition, insects and other arthropods utilize the melanogenic process as a key component of their defense systems. Many marine organisms utilize dopyl peptides and proteins as bonding materials to adhere to various substrata. Moreover, the complex dopa derivatives that are precursors to the formation of the exoskeletons of numerous marine organisms also exhibit antibiotic properties. The biochemistry and mechanistic transformations of different catecholamine derivatives to produce various biomaterials with antioxidant, antibiotic, crosslinking, and gluing capabilities are highlighted. These reactivities are exhibited through the transient and highly reactive quinones, quinone methides, and quinone methide imine amide intermediates, as well as chelation to metal ions. A careful consideration of the reactivities summarized in this review will inspire numerous strategies for synthesizing novel biomaterials for future medical and industrial use.

Extracellular matrix-derived materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: A journey from isolation to characterization and application

“…Therefore, the search for crosslinkers that are efficient without impacting the biocompatibility of the biomaterial is and will be an essential topic for the widespread application of ECM-derived biomaterials in TERM applications. The use of natural compounds derived from plants such as genipin or poliphenols as crosslinkers has shown to be promising in that regard [ 216 , 297 ] and therefore we believe that other natural compounds derived from earth or sea organisms [ 297 , 298 ] may be part of the solution for the crosslinking problem.…”

Functionalized Surface Coatings for Rigid Contact Lenses

“…This versatility, coupled with the inherent adhesiveness of the underlying PDA, PPG, and PTA layer [31], paves the way for the creation of highly multifunctional surfaces. This Furthermore, the adhesive properties of certain plant-derived phenols [22] present additional avenues for surface modification.…”

“…This versatility, coupled with the inherent adhesiveness of the underlying PDA, PPG, and PTA layer [31], paves the way for the creation of highly multifunctional surfaces. This Resembling peptides [28], featuring a synthetic nitrogen backbone and diverse side chains, peptoids offer exceptional adaptability and stability in biological settings [29], often surpassing their natural counterparts [30].…”

“…This versatility, coupled with the inherent adhesiveness of the underlying PDA, PPG, and PTA layer [ 31 ], paves the way for the creation of highly multifunctional surfaces. This makes peptoids ideal candidates for a wide range of applications, extending beyond contact lens technology.…”