DNA-LIKE AND PHOSPHOLIPID-LIKE PHOSPHORYLATED POLYSTYRENES - CHARACTERIZATION, DISTRIBUTION OF FUNCTIONAL-GROUPS, AND CALCIUM COMPLEXATION PROPERTIES

The phosphorylation of cross-linked polystyrene resins has been previo usly described. As seen by their interaction with lupus antibodies, th ese polymers were found to mimic either DNA or phospholipid antigens, depending on the degree of substitution by phosphate groups. When an a lkyl spacer was included between phosphate groups and macromolecular c hains, difficulties in synthesis and desorption of the biological spec ies from the resins were seen. In this article, kinetic aspects of the synthesis of phosphorylated polymers, possessing sulfamide spacers, a re discussed. The characterization of these phosphorylated polymers by acidimetric titration is extensively described. This technique differ entiates and quantifies the grafted phosphate groups, which can be eit her phosphomonoester or phosphodiester in nature. We demonstrate that these polymers form complexes with calcium ions, and that the affinity of the ions is closely associated with the type of phosphate groups. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.