Series of sequential polypeptides containing lysine or arginine: Preparation and characterization

Abstract

The sequential polypeptides (Lys-Ala)n, (Lys-Ala-Ala)n, (Lys-Ala-Ala-Ala)n, (Lys-Leu-Ala)n, (Lys-Leu-Ala-Ala)n, (Lys-Leu-Ala-Ala-Ala)n, (Lys-Ala-Leu)n, (Lys-Ala-Leu-Ala)n, (Orn-Leu-Ala)n,(Arg-Ala-Ala)n, (Arg-Leu-Ala)n, (Arg-Leu-Ala-Ala)n, (Arg-Ala-Leu)n, and (Arg-Ala-Leu-Ala)n were synthesized by polymerization of active esters (1-succinimidyl or pentafluorophenyl) of the corresponding Nα-deblocked monomers. The monomers were prepared using the usual methods of peptide synthesis in solution. Upon dialysis, the average molecular weight of the polymer was 6 000-9 000 as determined by sedimentation in ultracentrifuge. Polypeptides, containing leucine in addition to the basic amino acid, showed a marked tendency to aggregation. CD spectra of the products were measured for characterization.