Temperature-Regulated Activity of Responsive Polymer−Protein Conjugates Prepared by Grafting-from via RAFT Polymerization

作者：Priyadarsi De, Ming Li, Sudershan Reddy Gondi, Brent S. Sumerlin · 发表于：Journal of the American Chemical Society · 年份：2008 · DOI：10.1021/ja804495v · 被引用次数：407 · 研究领域：Advanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization、Polymer Surface Interaction Studies、Software Testing and Debugging Techniques

A facile route to well-defined "smart" polymer-protein conjugates with tunable bioactivity is reported. Protein modification with a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent and subsequent room temperature polymerization in aqueous media led to conjugates of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and a model protein. Representing the first example of polymer-protein conjugation with RAFT agent immobilization via the "R-group" approach, high molecular weight and reductively stable conjugates were accessible without extensive purification or adverse effects on the protein structure. An increase in molecular weight with conversion was observed for the chains grafted from the protein surface, confirming the controlled nature of the polymerization. The responsive behavior of the immobilized polymer facilitated conjugate isolation and also allowed environmental modulation of bioactivity.