Terminal-modified polylysine-based chelating polymers: highly efficient coupling to antibody with minimal loss in immunoreactivity.

A method is suggested for the preparation of chelating polymers containing a single terminal reactive group capable of interaction with proteins. These polymers were synthesized from N-CBZ-polylysine and DTPA and contain a terminal SH or pyridyldisulfide group. A polymer molecule with MW 13,500 is able to carry up to 40 DTPA residues. Polymers easily and quantitatively bind with antibodies (Fab fragments of antimyosin antibodies R11D10) with minimal effect on antibody immunoreactivity as revealed in ELISA assay and in direct immunoanalysis. Conjugates prepared can chelate radioactive metal ions reaching very high specific radioactivity (greater than 1 mCi 111In/10 micrograms of protein). Perspectives for their application are discussed.