Poly(amidoamine)s with 2‐Dithiopyridine Side Substituents as Intermediates to Peptide–Polymer Conjugates

Abstract

AbstractCystamine, when employed as a cross‐linking agent, leads to poly(amidoamine) networks, which on reaction with 2,2′‐dithiodipyridine turn into linear poly(amidoamine)s with side dithiopyridyl groups that easily undergo exchange reactions with reduced L‐glutathione, a model thiol‐containing biologically active peptide. The resultant products represent the first examples of soluble poly(amidoamine)–peptide conjugates in which the peptide moieties are linked to the polymer chain by SS bonds stable in blood, but cleavable inside cells.magnified image