title: pH-responsive bioactive glycopolypeptides with enhanced helicity and solubility in aqueous solution.
abstract: Copolypeptides of L-glutamate and glucosylated L-/DL-allyl- or DL-propargylglycine were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization and thiol-ene/yne photochemistry in aqueous solution, allowing the mild introduction of sugar units (here, glucose) in the final step. The glucosylated and non-glucosylated samples adopt a random-coil conformation in neutral and basic media and an α-helical conformation in acidic media, the helical content depending on the number and configuration of allyl-/propargylglycine units. The glucocopolypeptides unveil enhanced helical stability and solubility down to pH 3.5. Turbidity assays proved the selective binding of the polymers to the plant lectin concanavalin A.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Research Campus Golm, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Kai-Steffen
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Krannig
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schlaad
mesh_terms: D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D006020:Glycopeptides; D011108:Polymers; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water