The paper describes the preparation of a protein–polysaccharide conjugate by covalent conjugation of the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) with a polysaccharide (acetalated dextran (AcDex) via a thiol exchange reaction. The resulting degradable bioconjugate shows a dual-responsive behavior in acidic and reductive environments and can release drugs in a controlled way.

We show, that in slightly acidic conditions, the micellar nanoparticles disassemble and release an encapsulated prodrug (IAA). The conjugated enzyme then has the chance to react and activate the prodrug by oxidation into cytotoxic radicals, which leads to cellular death. The results indicate that this novel biohybrid conjugate has great potential to be used as a novel approach in enzyme prodrug therapy for cancer treatment.

“Dual-Responsive Enzyme–Polysaccharide Conjugate as a Nanocarrier System for Enzyme Prodrug Therapy”
M. Konhäuser, V. K. Kannaujiya, J. Kaltbeitzel, P. Winterwerber, E. Böhm, B. Breitenbach, P. R. Wich
Biomacromolecules, 2023, 24, 2138−2148. (DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00031)

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