Synthesis of biotinylated aldehyde polymers for biomolecule conjugation.

Biotinylated polymers with side-chain aldehydes were prepared for use as multifunctional scaffolds. Two different biotin-containing chain transfer agents (CTAs) and an aldehyde-containing monomer, 6-oxohexyl acrylate (6OHA), are synthesized. Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGA) and 6OHA are copolymerized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in the presence of the biotinylated CTAs. The resulting polymers are analyzed by GPC and(1) H NMR spectroscopy. The polymer end groups contained a disulfide bond, which could be readily reduced in solution to remove the biotin. Reactivity of the aldehyde side chains is demonstrated by oxime and hydrazone formation at the polymer side chains, and conjugate formation of fluorescently labeled polymers with streptavidin is investigated by gel electrophoresis.