Applications of glycosyltransferases in the site-specific conjugation of biomolecules and the development of a targeted drug delivery system and contrast agents for MRI.
Expert Opin Drug Deliv
; 5(2): 149-53, 2008 Feb.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18248315
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The delivery of drugs to the proposed site of action is a challenging task. Tissue and cell-specific guiding molecules are being used to carry a cargo of therapeutic molecules. The cargo molecules need to be conjugated in a site-specific manner to the therapeutic molecules such that the bioefficacy of these molecules is not compromised.METHODS:
Using wild-type and mutant glycosyltransferases, the sugar moiety with a unique chemical handle is incorporated at a specific site in the cargo or therapeutic molecules, making it possible to conjugate these molecules through the chemical handle present on the modified glycan. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS:
The modified glycan residues introduced at specific sites on the cargo molecule make it possible to conjugate fluorophores for ELISA-based assays, radionuclides for imaging and immunotherapy applications, lipids for the assembly of immunoliposomes, cytotoxic drugs, cytokines, or toxins for antibody-based cancer therapy and the development of a targeted drug delivery system.
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pharmaceutical Preparations
/
Glycosyltransferases
/
Drug Delivery Systems
/
Contrast Media
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Year:
2008
Type:
Article