An insoluble cross-linked polypentapeptide is totally synthesized by preparing two modified linear polypentapeptides patterned on the polypentapeptide from the pentapeptide (Val.sub.1 -Pro.sub.2 -Gly.sub.3 -Val.sub.4 -Gly.sub.5) one of the repeating peptide sequences contained in tropoelastin, the precursor protein of the core of the elastic fiber of the vascular wall, and by cross-linking the modified polypentapeptides. One of the intermediate polypentapeptides is modified by replacing a portion of at least one of the amino acid residues with the residue of an amino acid having more than one amino function and the other is modified by replacing a portion of at least one of the amino acid residues with the residue of an amino acid having more than one carboxyl function, to provide free amino groups on the one intermediate and free carboxyl groups on the other for interreaction in the presence of a suitable cross-linking agent. The resulting cross-linked insoluble polypentapeptide is elastomeric in nature and capable of calcification by withdrawing calcium ions from a serum medium, thus making it useful as a calcifiable matrix for the formation of an artificial bone structure. The calcifiable material can be treated to make it useful in artificial vascular wall formation.
通过制备两个改性的线性
多肽,基于血管壁弹性纤维的前体蛋白tropoelastin中包含的重复
多肽序列之一的
多肽五肽(Val.sub.1-Pro.sub.2-Gly.sub.3-Val.sub.4-Gly.sub.5)的模式,并交联这些改性的
多肽五肽,完全合成了一种不溶性交联聚五肽。中间的一个
多肽五肽通过用具有多个
氨基功能的
氨基酸残基的残基替换至少一个
氨基酸残基的部分来进行改性,而另一个
多肽五肽则通过用具有多个羧基功能的
氨基酸残基的残基替换至少一个
氨基酸残基的部分来进行改性,从而在一个中间体上提供自由
氨基基团,在另一个中间体上提供自由羧基团,以在适当的
交联剂存在下进行相互作用。所得的交联不溶性聚五肽具有弹性,并能通过从血清
培养基中提取
钙离子而
钙化,因此可用作形成人工骨结构的可
钙化基质。可
钙化材料可以经过处理,使其在人工血管壁形成中有用。