SITE-DIRECTED PEGYLATION AS SUCCESSFUL APPROACH TO IMPROVE THE ENZYME REPLACEMENT IN THE CASE OF PROLIDASE

The aim of this work was to perform site-directed PEGylation of the enzyme prolidase at sulphydril groups by methoxy-polyethylene glycol-maleimide (Mal-PEG, Mw 5000 Da) in order to obtain a safe conjugation product more stable than the native enzyme. The second purpose of the work was to investigate wether biodegradable chitosan nanoparticles loaded with PEGylkated prolidase could be effective in releasing active enzyme inside fibroblasts, as a possible therapeutic approache for PD.