Influence of the molecular weight on the inverse temperature transition of a model genetically engineered elastin-like pH-responsive polymer

The pH-responsive elastin-like polymers, [(PGVGV)(2)-(PGEGV)-(PGVGV)(2)](n) with n = 5, 9, 15, 30, 45, were obtained using genetic engineering and microbial protein expression. These were intended to study the effects of the molecular weight (MW) on the properties of their inverse temperature transition (ITT) and its dependence on pH. As a result, the transition temperature decreased and the transition enthalpy increased as the molecular weight increased, especially for the lowest MWs. More strikingly, the apparent pK(a) for the gamma-carboxyl residue of the glutamic acid also depends on MW. The apparent pK(a) is lower for lower MWs. In summary, the modification in the ITT caused by changes in MW is similar to the one caused by changes in the mean polarity of the polymer as described in the literature. A reduction in the molecular weight is equivalent to a decrease in the mean hydrophobicity of the polymer.