Description
General Description
Folate-PEG-NHS is a versatile targeting PEG linker designed for receptor-mediated bioconjugation. The terminal folate ligand exhibits high affinity for the folate receptor (FR), particularly FR-α, which is overexpressed in many cancer cells, including ovarian, breast, lung, kidney, and certain colorectal cancers. This property enables selective cellular uptake through receptor-mediated endocytosis.
The terminal NHS ester reacts efficiently with primary amine groups on proteins, peptides, antibodies, nanoparticles, polymers, liposomes, and other biomolecules under mild aqueous conditions, forming stable amide bonds.
The hydrophilic PEG spacer enhances water solubility, improves molecular flexibility, reduces steric hindrance, and minimizes nonspecific protein adsorption while maintaining accessibility of both the folate targeting ligand and the NHS reactive group. Folate-PEG-NHS is extensively employed for preparing targeted nanoparticles, antibody conjugates, liposomes, polymer therapeutics, imaging probes, and diagnostic agents.
Applications
- Targeted drug delivery
- Cancer-targeting nanoparticles
- Protein conjugation
- Antibody conjugation
- Liposome functionalization
- Molecular imaging
- Diagnostic probe preparation
- Surface modification
- Nanomedicine
- Biomaterials research
Features and Benefits
- Folate receptor targeting ligand
- Reactive NHS ester
- Efficient amine-specific conjugation
- Forms stable amide bonds
- Excellent water solubility
- Excellent biocompatibility
- Reduced steric hindrance
- Suitable for receptor-mediated targeting
- Available in multiple PEG molecular weights
