The utility of polyglutamic acid (PGA) as a drug delivery system was investigated using a cultured hepatic cell line (H35) and insulin conjugated to PGA. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 phosphorylation was monitored in cells exposed to varying degrees of free or PGA-conjugated insulin. Results suggest that PGA conjugated insulin, which is released by polymer degradation, remains biologically active and can bind insulin receptor and initiate a signal transduction cascade. Insulin-PGA results compare favorably to results using free insulin.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Misra, Ravi Shankar
• Schwalb, David Jenness

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 00D090M

Advisor

• Rulfs, Jill

Year

• 2000

Date created

• 2000-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright