A branched, methyl-capped polyethylene glycol (PEG) compound that is NHS-activated for covalent PEGylation of primary amines.

TMS(PEG)12 is the abbreviation for a branched trimethyl (TM) and succinimide ester (S) derivative of polyethylene glycol (PEG) for efficient and specific modification of primary amines. Each methyl-terminated PEG (mPEG) branch contains 12 ethylene glycol units. The three branches are attached to a 4-unit PEG stem that contains an amine-reactive N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester at the distal end. The NHS ester is spontaneously reactive with primary amines (–NH2), providing for efficient PEGylation of proteins, peptides and other amine-containing molecules or surfaces.

PEGylation Applications:

• PEGylate amine surfaces
• Add inert mass to proteins, immunogens, drug compounds and probes
• Improve solubility (decrease aggregation) of proteins or peptides without affecting function
• Protect proteins from proteolysis

Alternative Names for TMS(PEG):

• (Methyl-PEG12)3-PEG4-NHS Ester
• Branched mPEG-NHS Ester
• Trimethyl-PEO-NHS Ester
• NHS-activated PEG 2000

Why PEGylate a protein or peptide?

PEG-containing reagents have been used to modify proteins to provide specific advantages. Protein PEGylation can improve the stability of the modified protein, protect it from proteolytic digestion, increase its half life in biological applications, mask it from causing an immunogenic response, decrease its antigenicity or potential toxicity, improve its solubility, diminish the potential for aggregation, and minimize interference for both in vitro and in vivo applications. Polyethylene glycol, also called polyethylene oxide (PEO), has these effects because it is nontoxic, nonimmunogenic, hydrophilic, water soluble and highly flexible.

TMS(PEG)12 is specially synthesized as a homogeneous compound of discrete chain length and defined molecular weight. By contrast, typical preparations of PEG compounds are heterogeneous mixtures composed of multiple chain lengths and a range of molecular weights.

Highlights:

• NHS-activated for efficient PEGylation of primary amines at pH 7-9; reaction of NHS-ester group results in formation of stable, irreversible amide bonds
• Pure compound with defined structure and molecular weight, ensuring reproducible protein-modification effects
• PEG spacer provides unique advantages, including increased stability, reduced tendency toward aggregation and reduced immunogenicity
• Easy-to-follow instructions increase the likelihood of a successful outcome

Related Products

Linear NHS-activated PEG Reagents, MS(PEG)n
Sulfhydryl-reactive, branched PEGylation Reagent, TMM(PEG)n
Other Kinds of PEGylation Reagents

References

1. Hermanson, G.T. (2008). Bioconjugate Techniques, Academic Press (Product # 20036)
2. Harris, J. M. and Zalipsky, S. Eds (1997). Poly(ethylene glycol), Chemistry and Biological Applications, ACS Symposium Series, 680.
3. Harris, J. M. and Kozlowski, A. (2001). Improvements in protein PEGylation: pegylated interferons for treatment of hepatitis C. J. Control Release 72, 217-224.
4. Veronese, F. and Harris, J.M. Eds. (2002). Peptide and protein PEGylation. Advanced Drug Delivery Review 54(4), 453-609.

PEGylation reagents are available in bulk quantities with special pricing for manufacturing applications.