Enzymatic hydrolysis of random copolypeptides consisting of N-hydroxypropy1-l-glutamine and l-leucine

Two component water soluble random copolypeptides consisting of N-hydroxypropyl-l-glutamine and l-leucine were prepared by carrying out aminolysis reactions with 3-amino-1-propanol (P) on starting copolymers (ML) consisting of γ-methyl-l-glutamate (M) and l-leucine. The effects of copolymer composition and sequential distributions, as well as molecular conformations, on the rate of degradation by bromelain were investigated in a PECF at pH 7.4 and 37.0°C to simulate in vivo polymer degradation. All the samples were found to be degraded by random chain fracture with bromelain. Further, the degradation data for these samples followed the Michaelis–Menten rate law, being of the first order in bromelain concentration. The nature of the side chains and the molecular conformations are important to the rate of degradation by bromelain in vitro and it was controlled by the comonomer composition as well as the sequential distribution of comonomers in the copolymer chains.