A biodegradable multiblock co-polymer derived from an α,ω-bis(methylamino)peptide and an α,ω-bis(oxiranylmethyl)poly(ethylene glycol)

A novel peptide containing the lysosomally degradable sequence GlyPheLeuGly and a sequence-inverting unit has been prepared. This peptide presents the methylamino groups of sarcosine (N-methylglycine) at both termini for co-polymerisation with alpha,omega-bis(oxiranylmethoxy)poly(ethylene glycol) of mean M-w 1650. Gel permeation chromatographic analysis showed the presence of a mixture of oligomers. preliminary degradation studies showed that these oligomers are cleaved by cathepsin B, an important lysosomal enzyme. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.