THE BOWMAN-BIRK INHIBITOR-POLYESTER CONJUGATE - SYNTHESIS, INHIBITIONOF SERINE PROTEINASES, AND SUPPRESSION OF RADIATION TRANSFORMATION IN-VITRO

Bowman-Birk soybean inhibitor (BBI) was modified by the monoaldehyde d erivative of block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, Mr 2000. This copolymer is capable of penetrating through biological mem branes. The conjugate contained five covalently bound polymer chains p er protein molecule. The modified BBI retained the capacity for effect ive inhibition of alpha-chymotrypsin (K-i = 4.0 x 10(-8)M) and human l eukocyte elastase (K-i = 1.2 x 10(-7)M). BBI-conjugate, like purified BBI, suppressed radiation transformation in vitro.