SYNTHESIS OF DEXTRAN DERIVATIVES WITH THIOL-SPECIFIC REACTIVE GROUPS FOR THE PREPARATION OF DEXTRAN PROTEIN CONJUGATES

A novel strategy is described for the preparation of dextran-protein c onjugates containing disulfide linkages. ''Dormant'' protected thiol g roups are introduced as side chains on dextran. These can, in a later stage, be converted into thiol-specific reactive disulfides by reactio n with (alkoxycarbonyl)sulfenyl chloride. A dextran-protein conjugate is then easily formed by reaction with a thiol group of a cysteine sid e chain. The disulfide linkage between dextran and the model tripeptid es reduced glutathion and N-Ac-L-Cys-L-Ala-L-Lys remains intact, even after 24 h of incubation at 37-degrees-C in blood.