RNA-Polymer Conjugates via Direct Incorporation of the Chain Transfer Agent and PET-RAFT Polymerization.

ABSTRACT: Covalent conjugation of RNA with synthetic polymers has emerged as a powerful approach for creating bioconjugates with synergistically enhanced properties. However, conventional methods require solid-phase synthesis to preinstall functional groups in RNA, significantly limiting practical applications. Here, we present a novel approach for synthesizing RNA-polymer conjugates via direct incorporation of chain transfer agent (CTA) into RNA through acylation chemistry and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. A CTA-functionalized acyl imidazole reagent was synthesized to facilitate direct and covalent modification of various RNAs by reacting with their 2'-hydroxyl groups. Subsequent RAFT polymerization using RNA-CTA as a macro-CTA enabled direct grafting-from

SUBMITTER: Hu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12421687 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature