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Polymers with Dithiobenzoate End Groups Constitutively Release Hydrogen Sulfide upon Exposure to Cysteine and
Matthew C Urquhart1, Nam V Dao1, Francesca Ercole1
1ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
Abstract:
Dithioesters are well-established as efficient reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents. More recently, certain small molecule dithioesters have been reported to release the biological signaling molecule hydrogen sulfide (H2S) upon exposure to cysteine. Herein, we examine the propensity of polymers synthesized using RAFT with a dithioester chain transfer agent to release H2S via reaction of cysteine with constitutive dithioester end-groups. Homocysteine-triggered release of H2S from these materials is also observed, with evidence suggesting that the mechanism is analogous to the reaction with cysteine.
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