Glycopolymer nanomedicine based on the controlled polymerization and the operation of biological functionality

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H02766
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 35010:Polymer chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Miura Yoshiko 九州大学, 工学研究院, 教授 (00335069)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 長尾 匡憲 九州大学, 工学研究院, 助教 (40904008) ; 星野 友 九州大学, 工学研究院, 准教授 (40554689)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 糖鎖高分子 / 精密重合 / De novo デザイン / 分子認識 / 多価効果

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We designed and analyzed biofunctional polymers using the controlled polymerization of glycopolymers with sugar side chains. When the polymers were designed to match the structure of the sugar recognition proteins, the molecular recognition ability was controlled. It was clarified that not only the arrangement of sugars but also the kinetic properties of the main and side chains of the polymers have a significant influence on the molecular recognition ability. In addition, the possibility of drug discovery using designed polymers, such as the demonstration of immunosuppressive activity via Siglec and the development of effective inhibitors of influenza viruses, was demonstrated. We investigated the synthesis of polymers using PET-RAFT polymerization as a polymerization method, and clarified the development of a library of glycopolymers and a screening method for functional molecules using this library.

Free Research Field

高分子化学、生体機能性高分子

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では精密な合成高分子を用いて生体機能を設計制御できることを明らかにした。生体分子認識能などの生理活性に関する研究は低分子やペプチドや核酸などの天然の生体高分子に限られてきたが、本研究では合成高分子でも、生体高分子のような働きを発現させることができ、自由に設計―制御できることを明らかにした。即ち、生物のような機能を持つ分子システムは合成高分子でもよいことを明らかにした。そして、合成高分子による創薬の可能性を明らかにした。