Conjugation of melanoma based synthetic peptides with polyacrylic acid and their copolymers

Conjugation of synthetic polymers with biomolecules has been studied for the application inthe fields of medicine, pharmacy and engineering. Insoluble polymer-biomolecule conjugateshave various functional applications such as drug-release systems, tissue engineering andrecovery of cultured cells. At the same time, the water-soluble conjugates are used in thestabilization of enzymes, for the creation of biosensors, transformation of DNA into cells andfor the regulation of immunogenicity of antigens. Besides, interaction of polymers withbiomolecules is important for understanding the action mechanism of biopolymers inorganism, bioseperation and elaboration of conjugation technology.Synthetic peptides can be conjugated with various carrier molecules because of their weakimmunogenic properties. Synthetic peptides linked carrier molecules, create higher immuneresponse, stay lopnger in biological system (prolongation time), and can be more stableagainst adverse effects.Due to the advantages mentioned in this thesis; synthetic peptides bound to polymers whichhave adjuvant properties. For this purpose, copolymers of acrylic acid and vinyl pyrrolidonemonomers in different ratios were synthesized using a radical initiator benzoilperoxide. Inparallel with the synthesis of copolymer, melanoma cancer antigenic NY-ESO-155-163 (Q-L-S-L-L-M-W-I-T)and MAGE-3121-134 (L-L-K-Y-R-A-R-E-P-V-T-K-A-E) peptidesequences were synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis method. Synthetic peptidescovalently linked with PAA and VP/AA polymers by using 1-ethyl-3-3-dimethyl aminopropy-1karbodiimid cross-linker. Structural and functional analysis of complexes and bioconjugateswere made in our department laboratories.Three-dimensional structures, molecular structures and changes in the formation of complexand conjugate were investigated with the aim of physicochemical and structural analysis byHigh Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC),Fluorescence spectrophotometer and Zeta-Sizer system.The light of information to be obtained within the scope of this thesis, obtaining immuneresponse against melanoma cancer is a preliminary study of new possibilities for developmentin various preservatives (prophylactics) and tumor-specific antibodies used in the diagnosis.