A new approach for the synthesis of peptide-based polymers

Peptides and polypeptides are attracting considerable interest in the field of biomaterials and biological sciences because of their biocompatibility and biodegradability properties. A common approach relies on post grafting of peptide sequences, using chemoselective reactions, on modified polymers. However, direct polymerization of large, synthetic peptides or macromolecules remains a challenge. In this context, we developed new strategies to polymerize well defined peptides. High molecular weight polymers can be prepared in both good yield and large quantity. The first one was the polymerization of α-amino N-carboxy-α-amino acid anhydrides (NCAs) which generated peptide-based branched polymers. For that, we developed a convenient and straightforward methodology to generate the NCA activated species directly on the solid support. The activated peptide block was then released from the solid support to be engaged in the NCA/Ring Opening Polymerization (ROP) reaction and gave comb polymer. The second strategy was to form Si-O-Si bond (siloxane) by poly-condensation of Si-OH (silanol). This method need to introduce two silanols functions at the C and N terminus of the peptide sequence or alternatively, on a N-ter Lysine. Polymerization was then carried out on a phosphate buffer to give linear or comb-like polypeptides.status: accepte