Polypeptides containing periodic aromatic residues, 4-aminobenzoic acid (Abz), in their main chains were synthesized via papain-catalyzed chemoenzymatic polymerization of tripeptide ester monomers under moderate conditions in aqueous buffers. The secondary structures of the Abz-containing polypeptides were investigated by IR and wide-angle X-ray diffraction analysis. The WAXD profile of poly(GlyAbzGly) was similar to that of polyGly, whereas poly(AlaAbzAla) adopted a sheet-like structure similar to the β-sheet of polyAla.
- Kousuke Tsuchiya
- Naruki Kurokawa
- Keiji Numata
