1,8-Bis-maleimidotetraethyleneglycol (CAS 115597-84-7)

1,8-Bis-maleimidotetraethyleneglycol is a bifunctional crosslinking agent that has garnered interest within the realm of bioconjugate chemistry. This compound is equipped with two maleimide groups known for their selective reactivity towards sulfhydryl groups (-SH) in cysteine residues, making it an invaluable tool for the conjugation of proteins, peptides, and other thiol-containing biomolecules. The ethylene glycol spacer provides flexibility and a certain degree of water solubility to the resulting bioconjugates. Research involving 1,8-Bis-maleimidotetraethyleneglycol often focuses on its application in the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), where it serves to link cytotoxic agents to antibodies with specificity to target cells. Additionally, the compound is used in the study of protein-protein interactions, where crosslinking can stabilize complexes for structural analysis. It is also a component in the design of multifunctional biomaterials, where crosslinking with thiolated polymers or surfaces can enhance material properties for various applications.