Immobilization of concanavalin a to glucose-containing polymers

Sol-gel reversible hydrogels sensitive to environmental glucose concentrati on were prepared using concanavalin A (Con A) and glucose-containing polyme rs. Since the components of the hydrogels in the sol state can be released to the environment through pores of the dialysis membrane, it was necessary to immobilize Con A to the glucose-containing polymers. Con A was immobili zed by two different approaches. First, vinyl groups were introduced to Con A so that it can participate in die vinyl polymerization of allyl glucosid e. Second, glucose-containing polymers containing chemically reactive penda nt groups were synthesized so that Con A could be immobilized to the prefor med polymers. Both approaches resulted in effective immobilization of Con A to the glucose-containing polymers, but the second method appeared to be b etter in terms of maintaining the bioactivity of Con A.