| abstract |
Described herein, inter alia, are compositions of cell penetrating high density brush peptide polymer, drug delivery vehicles for delivering cell penetrating peptides and drugs. Also provided is a methodology for protecting active peptides from proteolysis by packaging them into high-density brush polymers via ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), using an easily-prepared catalyst initiator. The graft-through polymerization of norbomyl-peptide monomers via ROMP can result in structures that resist proteolysis relative to their monomeric analogues in a manner dependent on their degree of polymerization (REFS). Polymerized peptides, while protected from proteolysis, maintain their intended biological function and are capable of any of the functions inherent to the peptide, such as binding a receptor or ligand, initiating a signaling pathway, penetrating a cell, or inducing a therapeutic effect. |