ISSN:
0098-1273
Keywords:
Physics
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Physics
Notes:
The validity of Silberberg's hypothesis concerning the conformation of branched polypeptides was tested by studies on solutions and on monolayers. The poly(α-amino acids) investigated consisted of poly-L-lysine backbones with side chains of poly(gamma;-benzyl L-gutamate) and poly(β-benzyl L-aspartate). In solution, the conformation was studied in the mixed solvent chloroform-dichloroacetic acid. Optical rotatory dispersion measurements demonstrated the existence of a helix-coil transition which is a function of the length of the side chain. A significant “transition curve” appeared between 9 and 15 residues. From the results, it may be assumed that the poly-L-lysine backbone is extended in a coiled conformation and the side chains are coiled or helical, depending on the number of glutamate residues. At the air-water interface, a discontinuity in the surface-pressure curve appears between 9 and 15 residues per side chain. The similarity with the results obtained in solution appears significant; however, this has to be confirmed with methods more specific for structural modifications.
Additional Material:
6 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pol.1972.180101102
