URICASE MODEL REACTIONS OF POLYLYSINE-CU(II) COMPLEXES

Oxidation of uric acid was catalyzed by Cu(II) complexes of polylysine s. The presence of the polylysine as the second ligand (in addition to the first ligand; the substrate) showed an enhancement of the intrins ic catalytic activity of Cu(II) ions. Accounting for the apparent subs trate inhibition phenomenon, due to the absorbance interference by the intermediate, approximate K-m value for the model systems were determ ined to be around 30-40 mu M, which are better than that of the free C u(II) system, 60-80 mu M, and comparable or even better than the K-m v alues for some enzymatic reactions. From the CD spectrum the conformat ion of the polymer ligands is known to influence the catalytic activit y. A preference of partly ordered structure is implied.