Pegylation

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Pegylation

Pegylation (pronounced: peg-ill-ay-shun) is a process that involves the covalent and stable attachment of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) structure to another molecule, typically a drug or therapeutic protein. This process is used to improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these molecules.

Etymology

The term "Pegylation" is derived from the acronym PEG, which stands for polyethylene glycol, a type of polymer made from ethylene oxide units.

Process

Pegylation involves the attachment of PEG to a molecule using a covalent bond. This is typically achieved through a reaction between a functional group on the PEG molecule and a reactive group on the molecule to be pegylated. The result is a larger, more stable molecule with improved pharmacokinetic properties.

Benefits

Pegylation can improve the efficacy and safety of therapeutic proteins and drugs by increasing their size, which can reduce renal clearance and prolong the half-life of the drug in the body. It can also reduce immunogenicity and increase solubility, which can improve the drug's therapeutic profile.

Related Terms

  • Polyethylene glycol: A polymer made from ethylene oxide units that is used in the pegylation process.
  • Pharmacokinetics: The study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body.
  • Pharmacodynamics: The study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action.
  • Covalent bond: A type of chemical bond that involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
  • Therapeutic protein: Proteins that are engineered in the lab for pharmaceutical use, such as insulin or antibodies.

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