SELF-DEGRADABLE HYDROGEL WITH COVALENTLY BOUND PROTEOLYTIC-ENZYME

Biodegradable hydrogel as a self-degradable system for controlled rele ase of biologically active macromolecules was prepared from the biodeg radable poly -methacryloyloxyethyl)-L-glutamine-stat-L-glutamic acid], to which a proteolytic enzyme, papain, was covalently bound. The poly mer-enzyme conjugate was crosslinked by radical copolymerization with acrylamide. Significantly improved thermal stability and increased pH optimum of the catalytic activity of conjugated papain was observed. S elf-degradation of the hydrogel by the action of encapsulated papain c ould be triggered by the addition of a low-molecular-weight enzyme act ivator, such as dithioerythritol.