A series of pH responsive synthetic polypeptides has been developed based on an N-carboxyanhydride ring opening polymerization combined with a facile and versatile click chemistry. Poly(γ-propargyl L-glutamate) (PPLG) homopolymers and poly(ethylene glycol-b-γ-propargyl L-glutamate) (PEG-b-PPLG) block copolymers were substituted with various amine moieties that range in pKa and hydrophobicity, providing the basis for a library of new synthetic structures that can be tuned for specific interactions and responsive behaviors. These amine-functionalized polypeptides have the ability to change solubility, or reversibly self-assemble into micelles with changes in the degree of ionization; they also adopt an α-helical structure at biologically relevant pHs. Here we characterize the pH responsive behavior of the new polypeptides and the hydrolysis of the ester containing amine side chains. We examine the reversible micellization with block copolymers of the polypeptides and nucleic acid encapsulation that demonstrate the potential use of these materials for systemic drug and gene delivery.
基于环状酸酐的开环聚合以及简便且通用的点击
化学,已经开发了一系列pH响应性合成
多肽。聚(γ-炔丙基-
L-谷氨酸)(PPLG)均聚物和聚(
乙二醇-b-γ-炔丙基-
L-谷氨酸)(P
EG-b-PPLG)嵌段共聚物被各种具有不同pKa值和疏
水性的
氨基取代,为新合成结构的库提供了基础,可以针对特定相互作用和响应行为进行调节。这些
氨基功能化
多肽能够改变溶解性,或在电离程度变化时可逆地自组装成胶束;它们在
生物相关的pH值下还具有α-螺旋结构。在这里,我们表征了新
多肽的pH响应行为以及含有
氨基侧链的酯的
水解。我们检查了
多肽嵌段共聚物的可逆胶束化以及核酸包封,这些研究表明了这些材料在全身药物和
基因传递中的潜在用途。