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Query: UNIPROT:P00750 (PLA)
 16,800 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The dramatic changes in morphology induced by nanomolar doses of tumor-promoting agents, especially in epithelial cells, have been noted previously (Driedger and Blumberg, 1980; Rifkin et al., 1979; Croop et al., 1980; Phaire-Washington et al., 1980; Ohuchi and Levine, 1980; Ojakian, 1981; Fey and Penman, 1984). This chapter shows the effect of the tumor promoter TPA on the underlying skeletal framework, which is involved in the maintenance of both cell and epithelial tissue morphology. It should be emphasized, however, that similar results are obtained for all the tumor promoters as well as for the complete, ultimate carcinogens examined so far. The organization of the cytoskeletal elements involved in these morphological changes is faithfully retained during the fractionation procedure employed here, as is evident from SEM and TEM analysis of Triton-extracted cells. A number of promoting agents have been compared, and the degree of disorganization viewed in these whole mounts appears to parallel the potency of the promoting agents as measured by other assays (Fey and Penman, 1984). Also, the inactive analogues of phorbol ester have no effect on cell structure (Rifkin et al., 1979; Ojakian, 1981; Fey and Penman, 1984). We suggest that the effect of TPA on the cytoskeleton occurs early as compared with many of the commonly studied biochemical responses and may indeed underlie many of the previously described cellular response to promoting agents, such as mitogenic stimulation. TPA-induced alterations in NM-IF scaffold occur in the absence of both protein and RNA synthesis (Fey and Penman, 1984). By contrast, plasminogen activator, stimulated by TPA (Wigler and Weinstein, 1976), is completely blocked by pretreatment with both cycloheximide and actinomycin D (Weinstein et al., 1977; Ojakian, 1981). Ornithine decarboxylase, another enzyme that is rapidly induced by tumor promoters, is inhibited by both cycloheximide and actinomycin D in the presence of TPA (O'Brien, 1976). Thus two of the early biochemical markers for tumor-promoter activity are separable from the induction of cytoskeletal alterations by TPA. One of the most striking features of the response to promoting agents is the adoption of the transformed phenotype, in which cells lose growth control and cease being organized into meaningful tissue structure. The alteration of desmosomal and junctional associations and the concomitant change in cytokeratin organization are clearly related to the breakdown of epithelial organization. The phenotype is completely reversible although it takes about 3 days for the mode line to reestablish normal morphology (data not shown).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:The morphological oncogenic signature. Reorganization of epithelial cytoarchitecture and metabolic regulation by tumor promoters and by transformation. 307 72

Nanocomposites of high molecular poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA) with Ca-deficient hydroxyapatite nanocrystals (d-HAP) were successfully prepared through solvent-cast technique. Such composites are of great importance to make bone-like substitutes as d-HAP nanocrystals have similar composition, morphology and crystal structure as natural apatite crystals. Of all the PLA solvents studied, N,N-dimethylformamide is the best one to disperse d-HAP nanocrystals. The resultant sol is a blue, stable dispersion that could preserve several days with only slight precipitation. The bright-field TEM micrograph shows that d-HAP nanocrystals form homogeneous dispersion in the PLA matrix at a microscopic level. The tensile modulus for PLA/d-HAP nanocomposites increases with d-HAP loading. Theoretical prediction of the modulus has been made by assuming the nanocomposites as short fiber filled systems. The calculated values based on Halpin-Tsai equations show excellent agreement with the experimental results. The yield stress for the nanocomposites has not been undermined by the presence of the nanocrystals. This preservation of strength for PLA/d-HAP nanocomposites may be due to the homogeneous dispersion of d-HAP nanocrystals in the PLA matrix as well as the good interfacial adhesion.
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PMID:Preparation and mechanical properties of nanocomposites of poly(D,L-lactide) with Ca-deficient hydroxyapatite nanocrystals. 1156 92

Enterobacterial strains of Raoultella spp. display a penicillinase-related beta-lactam resistance pattern suggesting the presence of a chromosomal bla gene. From whole-cell DNA of Raoultella planticola strain ATCC 33531(T) and Raoultella ornithinolytica strain ATCC 31898(T), bla genes were cloned and expressed into Escherichia coli. Each gene encoded an Ambler class A beta-lactamase, named PLA-1 and ORN-1 for R. planticola and R. ornithinolytica, respectively. These beta-lactamases (291 amino acids), with the same pI value of 7.8, had a shared amino acid identity of 94%, 37 to 47% identity with the majority of the chromosome-encoded class A beta-lactamases previously described for Enterobacteriaceae, and 66 to 69% identity with the two beta-lactamases LEN-1 and SHV-1 from Klebsiella pneumoniae. However, the highest identity percentage (69 to 71%) was found with the plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase TEM-1. PLA-1, which displayed very strong hydrolytic activity against penicillins, also displayed significant hydrolytic activity against cefepime and, to a lesser extent, against cefotaxime and aztreonam, but there was no hydrolytic activity against ceftazidime. Such a substrate profile suggests that the Raoultella beta-lactamases PLA-1 and ORN-1 should be classified into the group 2be of the beta-lactamase classification of K. Bush, G. A. Jacoby, and A. A. Medeiros (Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 39:1211-1233, 1995). The highly homologous regions upstream of the bla(PLA-1A) and bla(ORN-1A) genes comprised a nucleotide sequence identical to the -35 region and another one very close to the -10 region of the bla(LEN-1) gene. From now on, as the bla gene sequences of the most frequent Raoultella and Klebsiella species are available, the bla gene amplification method can be used to differentiate these species from each other, which the biochemical tests currently carried out in the clinical laboratory are unable to do.
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PMID:Genetic and biochemical characterization of the chromosomal class A beta-lactamases of Raoultella (formerly Klebsiella) planticola and Raoultella ornithinolytica. 1469 55

A polylactide (D,L-PLA) macroRAFT agent was prepared by utilizing a hydroxyl-functional trithiocarbonate as a coinitiator for the ring-opening polymerization. The length of the resultant polymer was controlled by the concentration of the coinitiator leading to the formation of two PLA polymers with M(n) = 12500 g mol(-)(1) (PDI = 1.46) and M(n) = 20500 g mol(-)(1) (PDI = 1.38) each with omega-trithiocarbonate functionality. Chain extension of PLA via the RAFT (free radical) polymerization of N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm) resulted in the formation of amphiphilic block copolymers with the PNIPAAm block increasing in size with conversion. TEM measurements of the aggregates obtained by self-organization of the block copolymers in aqueous solutions indicated the formation of vesicles. The sizes of these aggregates were influenced by the ratio of both blocks and the molecular weight of each block. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the block copolymer was largely unaffected by the size of each block. UV turbidity measurements indicated a higher LCST for the block copolymers than for the corresponding PNIPAAm homopolymers. Stabilization of the vesicles was attained by a cross-linking chain extension of the PNIPAAm block using hexamethylene diacrylate. As the trithiocarbonate group was located between the PLA and PNIPAAm blocks, the chain extension resulted in a cross-linked layer between the core and corona of the vesicles.
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PMID:Shell-cross-linked vesicles synthesized from block copolymers of Poly(D,L-lactide) and Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) as thermoresponsive nanocontainers. 1556 28

In the study, poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (gamma-PGA) and poly(lactide) (PLA) were used to synthesize block copolymers via a simple coupling reaction between gamma-PGA and PLA to prepare self-assembled nanoparticles. For the potential of targeting liver cancer cells, galactosamine was further conjugated on the prepared nanoparticles as a targeting moiety. gamma-PGA, a water-soluble, biodegradable, and non-toxic compound, was produced by microbial fermentation (Bacillus licheniformis, ATCC 9945a) and then was hydrolyzed. The hydrolyzed gamma-PGA with a molecular weight of 4 kDa and a polydispersity of 1.3 was used, together with PLA (10 kDa, polydispersity 1.1), to synthesize block copolymers. The prepared nanoparticles had a mean particle size of about 140 nm with a zeta potential of about -20 mV. The results obtained by the TEM and AFM examinations showed that the morphology of the prepared nanoparticles was spherical in shape with a smooth surface. In the stability study, no aggregation or precipitation of nanoparticles was observed during storage for up to 1 month, as a result of the electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged nanoparticles. With increasing the galactosamine content conjugated on the rhodamine-123-containing nanoparticles, the intensity of fluorescence observed in HepG2 cells increased significantly. Additionally, the intensity of fluorescence observed in HepG2 cells incubated with the nanoparticles with or without galactosamine conjugated increased approximately linearly with increasing the duration of incubation. In contrast, there was no fluorescence observed in Hs68 cells (without ASGP receptors) incubated with the nanoparticles with galactosamine conjugated. The aforementioned results indicated that the galactosylated nanoparticles prepared in the study had a specific interaction with HepG2 cells via ligand-receptor recognition.
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PMID:Preparation of nanoparticles composed of poly(gamma-glutamic acid)-poly(lactide) block copolymers and evaluation of their uptake by HepG2 cells. 1591 30

Bone substitutes have been used for the treatment of bone defects. The objective of this study was to ultrastructurally evaluate the healing pattern of bone defects filled with a copolymer of polylactic/polyglycolic acid (FisiograftR) at a time point in which it is expected to be only partially degraded, with the purpose to ultrastructurally analyze how the bone is forming around the grafting material. Three 5-mm-diameter bone defects were created in each tibia from 5 rabbits (average weight 2.5 kg) in which the material was randomly implanted. Animals were sacrificed 30 days after surgery and the 30 bone defects were fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde-2.5% formaldehyde, under microwave irradiation, decalcified in EDTA, embedded in Spurr resin, and examined in a Jeol 1010 TEM. All the bone defects were filled with connective tissue, interspersed with different amounts of the filling material and newly formed bone trabeculae. In areas where the degrading copolymer was present in small amounts, newly formed bone matrix was detected; it was deposited by osteoblast-like cells in close relation to the copolymer. In areas where the degrading copolymer formed accumulates, an amorphous multilayered material was identified between the connective tissue and the copolymer. In summary, the copolymer of PLA/PGA studied appears to be an osteoconductive material when it is used to fill bone defects.
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PMID:Ultrastructure of bone healing in defects grafted with a copolymer of polylactic/polyglycolic acids. 1594 3

Polymeric prodrugs of mPEG-PLA-haloperidol (methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactic acid)) can self-assemble into nanoscale micelle-like structures in aqueous solutions. mPEG-PLA-haloperidol was prepared and characterized using 1H and 13C NMR. The conjugation efficiency was found to be 64.8 +/- 21%. Micelles that form spontaneously upon solubilization of the mPEG-PLA and the polymeric prodrugs in water were characterized using a variety of techniques. The mPEG-PLA and prodrug micelles were found to have diameters of 28.73 +/- 1.45 and 49.67 +/- 4.29 nm, respectively, using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The micelle size and polydispersity were also evaluated with cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and were consistent with the DLS results. Cryo-TEM and proton NMR confirmed that the micelles were spherical in shape. DLS was also used to determine the aggregation numbers of the micelles. The aggregation numbers ranged from 351 to 603. The change in aggregation number was dependent on the total drug incorporation into the micelle core. Critical micelle concentrations were determined for the various micelle/drug formulations and found to range from 3 to 14 microg/mL. Finally, drug was incorporated into the micelle core using the conjugate, free drug with a saturated aqueous phase during production, or a combination of both techniques. Drug incorporation could be increased from 3% to 20% (w/w) using the different formulations.
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PMID:Synthesis and characterization of mPEG-PLA prodrug micelles. 1615 10

The acquired resistance against the wide-spectrum and highly stable beta-lactams including third-generation cephalosporins (3GC) and carbapenems is constinuously increasing and widespead with the discovery of various plasmid-encoded, or genes cassette or integrons coding for a novel beta-lactamase, always a major mechanism of resistance. To explain resistance against 3GC, with the continuing story with TEM and SHV mutated enzymes, several types of ESBL (class A) emerge the CTX-M type, at least CTX-M-40, but also other non predominant types intitled BES, GES, PLA, PER, VEB. The wider resistance including 3GC, cephamycins and beta-lactamase inhibitor is correlated to synthesis of transferable cephalosporinases (class C) usually located in the chromosome but mobilized from Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter freundii, Hafnia alvei, Morganella morganii, Aeromonas caviae. Such genes encoded the following types: ACC-1, ACT-1, CFE-1, CMY group, DHA-1, FOX group, MIR-1, MOX-1. Finally the resistance against carbapemens e.g. imipenem originally restricted to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, then to Acinetobacter baumannii and finally to enterobacteria is related to production of novel enzymes (classes B, D and A) denominated IMP, VIM SME, GIM, OXA, KPC. A striking exemple of evolution towards more and more resistance is given by Salmonella, even from animal origins, a great threat fo public health. So far it appears necessary to perform molecular approaches to identify such enzymatic production. Finally because the absence of real new drugs, the discovery of some progenitors of the gene beta-lactamase, a strict control of beta-lactam antibiotics must be provide not only in medecine or veterinary field but also in agriculture, including aquaculture for example.
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PMID:[Beta-lactamases of Gram negative bacteria: never-ending clockwork!]. 1642 Sep 89

In order to improve the absorption of nanoparticles in the brain following nasal administration, a novel protocol to conjugate biorecognitive ligands-lectins to the surface of poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (lactic acid) (PEG-PLA) nanoparticles was established in the study. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), specifically binding to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and sialic acid, both of which were abundantly observed in the nasal cavity, was selected as a model lectin. The WGA-conjugated nanoparticles were prepared by incorporating maleimide in the PLA-PEG molecular and taking advantage of its thiol group binding reactivity to conjugate with 2-iminothialane thiolated WGA. Coupling of WGA with the PEG-PLA nanoparticles was confirmed by the existence of gold-labeled WGA-NP under TEM. The retention of biorecognitive activity of WGA after the covalent coupling procedure was confirmed by haemagglutination test. The resulting nanoparticles presented negligible nasal ciliatoxicity and the brain uptake of a fluorescent marker-coumarin carried by WGA functionized nanoparticles was about 2 folds in different brain tissues compared with that of coumarin incorporated in the unmodified ones. Thus, the technique offered a novel effective noninvasive system for brain drug delivery, especially for brain protein and gene delivery.
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PMID:Lectin-conjugated PEG-PLA nanoparticles: preparation and brain delivery after intranasal administration. 1651 Jan 78

Eight-arm poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-lactide), PEG-(PLLA)(8), and poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D-lactide), PEG-(PDLA)(8), star block copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of either L-lactide or D-lactide at room temperature in the presence of a single-site ethylzinc complex and 8-arm PEG (M(n) = 21.8 x 10(3) or 43.5 x 10(3)) as a catalyst and initiator, respectively. High lactide conversions (>95%) and well-defined copolymers with PLLA or PDLA blocks of the desired molecular weights were obtained. Star block copolymers were water-soluble when the number of lactyl units per poly(lactide) (PLA) block did not exceed 14 and 17 for PEG21800-(PLA)(8) and PEG43500-(PLA)(8), respectively. PEG-(PLA)(8) stereocomplexed hydrogels were prepared by mixing aqueous solutions with equimolar amounts of PEG-(PLLA)(8) and PEG-(PDLA)(8) in a polymer concentration range of 5-25 w/v % for PEG21800-(PLA)(8) star block copolymers and of 6-8 w/v % for PEG43500-(PLA)(8) star block copolymers. The gelation is driven by stereocomplexation of the PLLA and PDLA blocks, as confirmed by wide-angle X-ray scattering experiments. The stereocomplexed hydrogels were stable in a range from 10 to 70 degrees C, depending on their aqueous concentration and the PLA block length. Stereocomplexed hydrogels at 10 w/v % polymer concentration showed larger hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains as compared to 10 w/v % single enantiomer solutions, as determined by cryo-TEM. Correspondingly, dynamic light scattering showed that 1 w/v % solutions containing both PEG-(PLLA)(8) and PEG-(PDLA)(8) have larger "micelles" as compared to 1 w/v % single enantiomer solutions. With increasing polymer concentration and PLLA and PDLA block length, the storage modulus of the stereocomplexed hydrogels increases and the gelation time decreases. Stereocomplexed hydrogels with high storage moduli (up to 14 kPa) could be obtained at 37 degrees C in PBS. These stereocomplexed hydrogels are promising for use in biomedical applications, including drug delivery and tissue engineering, because they are biodegradable and the in-situ formation allows for easy immobilization of drugs and cells.
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PMID:In-situ formation of biodegradable hydrogels by stereocomplexation of PEG-(PLLA)8 and PEG-(PDLA)8 star block copolymers. 1702 54


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