A versatile, modular platform for multivalent peptide ligands based on a dendritic wedge

A general methodology for the synthesis of multifunctional AB2, AB3, AB4, and AB5 dendritic wedges is described based on an orthogonal protection strategy. Asymmetric polyamide dendrons that possess N-terminal cysteine residues at the periphery were quantitatively functionalized with C-terminal thioester peptides using native chemical ligation. Conjugation of biologically relevant groups at the focal point resulted in a series of related structures with a highly controlled valency (2-5) that can directly be used in a systematic study on the strength of multivalent interactions. Using our modular approach various ligands, functional groups and spacers can readily be combined in order to generate a toolbox for the development of smart biomaterials used in molecular medicine and imaging.