PEGylated Antibodies and DNA in Organic Media and Genetic PEGylation

Abstract

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is an amphiphilic polymer that is soluble in both water and organic media and can add many functions to biopolymers by conjugation. Here, PEG was coupled to antibodies or oligonucleotides for solubilization into organic media. The former interacted with antigens and the latter formed specific structures and had catalytic activity in organic media. In addition, we attempted to incorporate PEG genetically into a polypeptide. Although the PEG incorporation ratio decreased as the molecular weight of PEG was increased, PEG with a molecular weight of ≤1000 Da was incorporated successfully. The potential applications of PEGylated biopolymers and the methodology for gene PEGylation are discussed.

Conjugation of Amphiphilic Proteins to Hydrophobic Ligands in Organic Solvent

“…The simple conjugation methodology presented here allows for facile and efficient derivatization of amphiphile amines or carboxyls, minimization of noncovalent interaction between amphiphile and hydrophobic ligand, minimal protein multimerization, separation of the product from noncovalently bound ligand, and recovery of unreacted ligand. Although we report on the conjugation of sEL variants, our methodology could be used for conjugation of any amphiphilic protein or polymer of interest, including the following: PEGylated antibodies (some of which are soluble in organic solvents − ); modified organosoluble enzyme conjugates such as POXylated , and PEGylated enzymes; , a plethora of amphiphilic peptides used as molecular building blocks for nanostructures; food proteins used for drug delivery (e.g., gelatin and casein); , collagen; and proteins such as hydrophobins (fungal derivatives used for their unique surface-active and self-assembly properties) …”