Polydepsipeptides, 4 Synthesis of the alternating Polydepsipeptides Poly(Ala-Lac) and Poly(Val-Lac)

Well-Defined Poly(Ester Amide)-Based Homo- and Block Copolymers by One-Pot Organocatalytic Anionic Ring-Opening Copolymerization of N-Sulfonyl Aziridines and Cyclic Anhydrides

We report a new synthetic methodology for poly(ester amide)s by anionic ring-opening copolymerization of N-sulfonyl aziridines and cyclic anhydrides. Phosphazenes organocatalysts have been found to promote a highly-active, controlled, and selective alternating copolymerization in the absence of any competitive side reaction (zwitterionic mechanism and exchange transacylations). Mechanistic studies have shown first-order dependence of the copolymerization rate in N-sulfonyl aziridines and phosphazenes, and zero-order in cyclic anhydrides. This one-pot methodology leads not only to homopolymers but also to poly(ester amide)-based block copolymers. Two catalytic cycles involving ring-opening alternating copolymerization of N-sulfonyl aziridines with cyclic anhydrides and ring-opening polymerization of N-sulfonyl aziridines have been proposed to explain the one pot synthesis of poly(ester amide)-based homo- and block copolymers.

Biodegradable polydepsipeptides

This paper reviews the synthesis, characterization, biodegradation and usage of bioresorbable polymers based on polydepsipeptides. The ring-opening polymerization of morpholine-2,5-dione derivatives using organic Sn and enzyme lipase is discussed. The dependence of the macroscopic properties of the block copolymers on their structure is also presented. Bioresorbable polymers based on polydepsipeptides could be used as biomaterials in drug controlled release, tissue engineering scaffolding and shape-memory materials.

Backbone-Backbone H-Bonds Make Context-Dependent Contributions to Protein Folding Kinetics and Thermodynamics: Lessons from Amide-to-Ester Mutations

The contribution of backbone-backbone hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) to protein folding energetics has been controversial. This is due, at least in part, to the inability to perturb backbone-backbone H-bonds by traditional methods of protein mutagenesis. Recently, however, protein backbone mutagenesis has become possible with the development of chemical and biological methods to replace individual amides in the protein backbone with esters. Here, we review the use of amide-to-ester mutation as a tool to evaluate the contribution of backbone-backbone H-bonds to protein folding kinetics and thermodynamics.

Synthesis and enzymatic degradation of optically active depsipeptide copolymers

This paper describes the synthesis and biodegradation of copolymers of cyclic depsipeptide with epsilon-caprolactone (CL) or lactide (LA). Optically active cyclic depsipeptides, 3,6-dimethyl-2,5-morpholinediones (DMOs), were prepared by the reaction of an amino acid (D-, L-, or DL-alanine) with a hydroxy acid derivative (DL-2-bromopropionyl bromide). These isomers are abbreviated as D-DMO, L-DMO and DL-DMO respectively, according to the names of alanine isomers. Then, we have prepared the copolymers of DMO isomers with CL using tin(II) octylate as a catalyst. The NMR spectra and thermal properties of DMO/CL copolymers revealed that these copolymers exist randomly. The enzymatic degradation of the copolymers has been examined using Rhizopus delemar lipase, cholesterol esterase (from Pseudomonas sp.), and Proteinase K (from Tritirachium album). Cholesterol esterase and Proteinase K show high degradability, while the lipase shows little degradation. Among the enzymes used, only Proteinase K could recognize the isomerism of DMO, resulting in the following order of degradability: copoly(L-DMO/CL) > copoly(DL-DMO/CL) > copoly(D-DMO/CL), i.e. this enzyme has the highest substrate specificity for naturally occurring L-alanine. Further, we have prepared the random copolymers of L-DMO with lactide (L-LA or DL-LA), and evaluated the enzymatic degradation of the copolymers by Proteinase K. The introduction of a small amount (up to c. 10 mol%) of L-DMO unit into LA homopolymers brought about greater degradability compared with LA homopolymers. In particular, L-DMO/L-LA copolymers with high degradability have been obtained without significant decrease in the mechanical and thermal properties of L-LA homopolymer.

Biocompatibility of poly (DL-lactic acid/glycine) copolymers

In this review the authors discuss the polymer chemical, physical and cell biological aspects of poly (DL-lactic acid/glycine) copolymers, both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism and rate of degradation and the degree of foreign body reaction were evaluated as a function of the molecular composition of the (co)polymer, its initial molecular weight and changes in crystallinity. Data from the literature concerning poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid) and poly(amino acids) are included in this review. The choice to apply the polymers mentioned was determined by their nature: all are present in the human body as natural residues. Upon degradation, biocompatibility will thus not be impaired. The authors conclude that the degradation mechanism of poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid) and poly(amino acids) are similar, i.e. bulk hydrolysis of ester bonds. The initial molecular weight and the chemical composition, determine the rate of degradation and the degree of foreign body reaction.

Depsipeptide analogues of elastin repeating sequences: synthesis

Depsipeptide analogues of peptide sequences can help in elucidating the role of specific hydrogen bonds in determining the conformation in peptides. The repeating pentapeptide and hexapeptide sequences of elastin have been suggested to contain a type II beta-turn with a 4----1 hydrogen bond. Depsipeptide analogues of the repeating sequences of elastin in which this 4----1 hydrogen bond cannot exist were synthesized. A fragment condensation approach was employed in which the depsipeptide ester bond was introduced early in the synthesis. This approach proved to be effective, although the increased lability of the depsipeptide ester bond resulted in side products and low yields in some reactions.

In vivo and in vitro degradation of glycine/DL-lactic acid copolymers

A series of copolymers of glycine and DL-lactic acid with various compositions was synthesized and their in vivo and in vitro degradation behavior was studied. For the in vivo examination, discs of the copolymer films were subcutaneously implanted in rats. The in vitro studies were carried out in phosphate buffer at pH = 7.4 and 37 degrees C. The decrease in molecular weight, the loss of weight, and the tissue reactions of the different copolymers were determined after 2, 5, and 10 weeks. Poly(DL-lactic acid) was used as reference material. The in vivo and in vitro degradation behavior of the polymers was comparable. The decrease of molecular weight of the copolymers and poly(DL-lactic acid) in time was similar. The weight loss for copolymers with a higher mole fraction of glycine units started earlier. The copolymer with the highest content of glycine units disappeared completely within 10 weeks both in vivo and in vitro. The poly(DL-lactic acid) implant lost only 25% weight over the same period. Tissue reactions against all materials started with an acute inflammatory reaction caused by the trauma of implantation, followed by wound-healing processes, ending in a very mild foreign body reaction for the poly(DL-lactic acid) and a more excessive macrophage mediated foreign body reaction for the glycine/DL-lactic acid copolymers. The tissue reaction was more severe for polymers having a higher rate of degradation.