Synthesis and characterization of poly(L-lysine-co-L-proline) as a non-viral gene delivery vector

Copolymers based on lysine and proline were synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of corresponding α-amino acid N-carboxy anhydrides. In vitro cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency were measured on 293T cell line. Copolymers displayed a four-fold improvement in transfection efficiency compared with that of PLL homopolymer. Cytotoxicity of the copolymers was almost negligible and slightly increased with increasing amount of proline residues in the copolymers.