Bioconjugation through Mesitylene Thiol Alkylation

Bioconjug Chem. 2018 Apr 18;29(4):1199-1208. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00828. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

Abstract

The design and generation of complex multifunctional macromolecular structures by bioconjugation is a hot topic due to increasing interest in conjugates with therapeutic applications. In this regard, the development of efficient, selective, and safe conjugation methods is a major objective. In this report, we describe the use of the bis(bromomethyl)benzene scaffold as a linker for bioconjugation with special emphasis on antibody conjugation. We first performed the monothioalkylation of 1,3,5-tris(bromomethyl)benzene, which rendered the reactive dibromotrimethylbenzyl derivatives to be used in thiol bis-alkylation. Next, we introduced into the linker either a bis(Cys)-containing peptide or anti-CD4 and -CD13 monoclonal antibodies, previously subjected to partial reduction of disulfide bonds. Mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectra, and SDS-PAGE experiments revealed that this bis-alkylating agent for bioconjugation preserved both antibody integrity and antibody-antigen binding affinity, as assessed by flow cytometry. Taken together, our results show that the mesitylene scaffold is a suitable linker for thiol-based bioconjugation reactions. This linker could be applicable in the near future for the preparation of antibody drug conjugates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkylation
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry*
  • Benzene Derivatives / chemical synthesis
  • Benzene Derivatives / chemistry*
  • Immunoconjugates / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Solid-Phase Synthesis Techniques
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Benzene Derivatives
  • Immunoconjugates
  • Peptides
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • mesitylene