Peptide-induced RAFT polymerization via an amyloid-ß17-20 -based chain transfer agent

Kumar, S., et al. Soft Matter, 2020, 16,6964-6968, DOI: 10.1039/D0SM01169J

We here describe the synthesis of a novel  peptide/polymer-conjugate, embedding the amyloid-β (Aβ) protein core sequence Leu-Val-Phe-Phe (LVFF, Aβ_17-20) via RAFT polymerization. Based on a novel chain transfer-agent, the “grafting-from” approach effectively generates the well-defined peptide-polymer conjugates with appreciably high monomer conversion rate, resulting in mechanically stiffer peptide-functional cross-linked polymeric hydrogels. Reproduced by permission of The Royal Society of Chemistry 2020.