pH-Responsive Bioactive Glycopolypeptides with Enhanced Helicity and Solubility in Aqueous Solution

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 glucosylatecl and non-glucosylated samples adopt a random coil conformation in neutral and basic media and an alpha-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.