This paper describes the synthesis of new water-soluble nonpeptidic a-
amino acid-containing polyamides. Preliminary results of hydrolytic an
d enzymatic degradations of L-lysine and L-cystine-based polyamides ar
e also presented. Most of these polymers revealed to be stable towards
hydrolytic degradation. Only poly(L-cystyl-L-cystine) PCC IV was rapi
dly degraded in Tris buffer pH 7,4. Insoluble poly(adipoyl-L-lysine be
nzyl ester) could be degraded by papain and pepsin. Polyamides from L-
cystine were shown to be more susceptible to enzymatic degradation. Tr
ypsin, papain and glutathione reductase degraded PCC IV much more rapi
dly than Tris buffer 7,4 alone.