Folate (folic acid) PEG linkers are PEG reagents with a folic acid functional group. The folate receptor is a membrane-bound protein that has high affinity for folic acid. This receptor serves as a receptor-mediated transport system of folic acid into cancer cells and cells associated with inflammation (e.g., macrophages). As a basic component of cell metabolism in the synthesis of both DNA and proteins, folate is believed to be essential for maintaining an elevated metabolic process.
Unlike most normal cells in the body which have little to no affinity for folate, cancer cells have a high expression of folate receptor alpha. Because of these attributes, folate based drug delivery, imaging systems, and diagnostic systems are in various stages of development worldwide.
AxisPharm is the worldwide leading provider of folate related linkers for crosslinking technologies. We have the largest collection of in stock folate PEG linkers to facilitate folate receptor related research.