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.