Peptide-Brush Polymers as Proteomimetics

Nathan C. Gianneschi, Kendal Carrow, Max Mu Wang

Northwestern University

In this presentation, we describe Protein-Like Polymers (PLPs) as an approach to mimicking proteins. These proteomimetics are based on peptide-brush polymers composed from monomers each containing a peptide side-chain. Herein, we describe the development of this class of biomolecule polymer conjugate, discuss their physicochemical and structural properties and will expand on their utility in a range of settings, including as a new type of therapeutic modality. We will highlight some examples including their ability to engage critical intracellular protein-protein interactions especially among intrinsically disordered transcription factors responsible for driving neurodegenerative disease and cancer. These will include a novel approach to targeted protein degradation utilizing the polymer-based technology to rapidly converge on functional molecules.

This abstract is being submitted for the award session in honor of Prof. Brent Sumerlin