Abstract
Pentafluorophenyl-single chain polymer nanoparticles are readily conjugated with functional amines enabling facile SCNP modification, adjustment of physicochemical properties, and even protein mimicry.
Highlights
Protein-like synthetic polymers aim at combining the modularity and scalability of polymer synthesis[1] with the specific functions of proteins, such as catalytic activity, signalling, transport and storage.[2,3,4,5] Since proteins are able to perform a remarkable number of intricate functions under physiological conditions based on their structural conformation, replication of protein function and shape has become a primary goal for researchers worldwide
Recent advances in polymer science have enabled the formation of bio-inspired single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCNPs), which are formed by intramolecular collapse of individual polymer chains, and display sizes ranging from 5–20 nm
We demonstrate the development of PFP-SCNPs, based on covalent intramolecular chain collapse and the subsequent modification of these nanoparticles yielding highly modular, water-soluble SCNPs
Summary
Protein-like synthetic polymers aim at combining the modularity and scalability of polymer synthesis[1] with the specific functions of proteins, such as catalytic activity, signalling, transport and storage.[2,3,4,5] Since proteins are able to perform a remarkable number of intricate functions under physiological conditions based on their structural conformation, replication of protein function and shape has become a primary goal for researchers worldwide. A promising strategy is the bioconjugation of peptides and proteins with polymers.[6,7] By combining the structural properties of the synthetic backbone with highly specific functions of a protein domain, hybrid materials are obtained with a range of versatile properties.[8] One of the first striking examples of a protein–polymer conjugate is the attachment of ( poly)ethylene glycol chains onto bovine serine albumin, reducing toxicity and improving pharmacokinetic profile.[9] Since a wide variety of chemistries has been used to create polymer–protein hybrids,[10] introducing functionalities such as catalysis[4] and biosensing[11] into synthetic polymeric materials. The folding of synthetic polymers, like the spatial arrangement of a protein, has become a primary goal towards protein mimicry
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