Quantitative Automated Assays in Living Cells to Screen for Inhibitors of Hemichannel Function

2020 ◽  
pp. 247255522095438
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Soleilhac ◽  
Marjorie Comte ◽  
Anaelle da Costa ◽  
Caroline Barette ◽  
Christèle Picoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Transmembrane Proteins ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Brain Disorders ◽  
Iodide Uptake ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Central Nervous System Disorders ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
New Treatments

In vertebrates, intercellular communication is largely mediated by connexins (Cx), a family of structurally related transmembrane proteins that assemble to form hemichannels (HCs) at the plasma membrane. HCs are upregulated in different brain disorders and represent innovative therapeutic targets. Identifying modulators of Cx-based HCs is of great interest to better understand their function and define new treatments. In this study, we developed automated versions of two different cell-based assays to identify new pharmacological modulators of Cx43-HCs. As HCs remain mostly closed under physiological conditions in cell culture, depletion of extracellular Ca2+ was used to increase the probability of opening of HCs. The first assay follows the incorporation of a fluorescent dye, Yo-Pro, by real-time imaging, while the second is based on the quenching of a fluorescent protein, YFPQL, by iodide after iodide uptake. These assays were then used to screen a collection of 2242 approved drugs and compounds under development. This study led to the identification of 11 candidate hits blocking Cx43-HC, active in the two assays, with 5 drugs active on HC but not on gap junction (GJ) activities. To our knowledge, this is the first screening on HC activity and our results suggest the potential of a new use of already approved drugs in central nervous system disorders with HC impairments.

scholarly journals New mechanisms of radioiodide uptake revealed via a novel high throughput drug screening approach in thyroid cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin L. Read ◽  
Katie Brookes ◽  
Caitlin E.M. Thornton ◽  
Alice Fletcher ◽  
Mohammed Alshahrani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Yellow Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Cancer Genes ◽  
Iodide Uptake ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Fda Approved Drugs

ABSTRACTNew combinatorial drug strategies are urgently needed to improve radioiodide (RAI) uptake and efficiently ablate thyroid cancer cells, thereby addressing recurrent and metastatic disease. Cellular iodide uptake is accomplished solely by the sodium iodide symporter (NIS), but the complexity of NIS functional regulation and a lack of amenable high-throughput screening assays has impeded progress. We utilised mutated yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) as a surrogate biosensor of intracellular iodide for ∼1200 FDA-approved drugs, allowing us to appraise the impact of 73 leading compounds at 10 doses on 125I uptake in thyroid cancer cell lines. Subsequent mechanistic analysis suggests three predominant modes of drug action: Firstly, a number of drugs inhibited specific regulation of NIS function by the protein VCP. Secondly, some drugs enhanced transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulation of NIS expression. Thirdly, several drugs strongly implicated proteasomal degradation and the unfolded protein response in the cellular processing of NIS. Exploiting these mechanistic insights, multiple compounds gave striking increases in radioiodide uptake when combined with the drug SAHA. Importantly, our new drug combination strategies were also effective in human primary thyrocytes, suggesting they target endogenous NIS physiology. In patients with papillary thyroid cancer, genes involved in proteostasis were remarkably altered and predicted significantly worse outcome, but only in those patients who received RAI therapy. Collectively, we therefore propose a new model of intracellular NIS processing, and identify key nodes which may now be druggable in patients with aggressive thyroid cancer.SUMMARYOur data identify FDA-approved drugs that enhance radioiodide uptake outside of the canonical pathways of NIS processing, leading to a new mechanistic understanding of endogenous NIS function which is subverted in cancer.

scholarly journals Synthesis and Bioinformatic Characterization of New Schiff Bases with Possible Applicability in Brain Disorders

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 4160
Author(s):  
Speranta Avram ◽  
Ana Maria Udrea ◽  
Diana Camelia Nuta ◽  
Carmen Limban ◽  
Adrian Cosmin Balea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Schiff Bases ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽  
Aromatic Aldehydes ◽  
Brain Disorders ◽  
Ir And Nmr Spectroscopy ◽  
Bioinformatics Tools ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
New Compounds

(1) Background: The research aims to find new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, in particular, Alzheimer’s disease. (2) Methods: This article presents a bioinformatics and pathology study of new Schiff bases, (EZ)-N′-benzylidene-(2RS)-2-(6-chloro-9H-carbazol-2-yl)propanehydrazide derivatives, and aims to evaluate the drug-like, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and pharmacogenomic properties, as well as to predict the binding to therapeutic targets by applying bioinformatics, cheminformatics and computational pharmacological methods. (3) Results: We obtained these Schiff bases by condensing (2RS)-2-(6-chloro-9H-carbazol-2-yl)propanehydrazide with aromatic aldehydes, using the advantages of microwave irradiation. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized spectrally, using FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, which confirmed their structure. Using bioinformatics tools, we noticed that all new compounds are drug-likeness features and may be proposed as potentially neuropsychiatric drugs (4) Conclusions: Using bioinformatics tools, we determined that the new compound 1e had a high potential to be used as a good candidate in neurodegenerative disorders treatment.

Visualization of Membrane Sorting and Fusion in Living Cells using Total Internal Reflection (TIR) and Multicolor Video Microscopy

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (S2) ◽  
pp. 34-35
Author(s):  
Derek Toomre ◽  
Patrick Keller ◽  
Elena Diaz ◽  
Jamie White ◽  
Kai Simons
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Total Internal Reflection ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Video Microscopy ◽  
Internal Reflection ◽  
Fast Time ◽  
Cellular Polarity ◽  
Microscopy Technique

Post-Golgi sorting of different classes of newly synthesized proteins and lipids is central to the generation and maintenance of cellular polarity. to directly visualize the dynamics and location of apical/basolateral sorting and trafficking we used fast time-lapse multicolor video microscopy in living cells. Specifically, green fluorescent protein color variants (cyan, CFP; yellow, YFP) of apical cargo (GPI-anchored) and basolateral cargo (vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein, VSVG) were generated; see FIG 1. Fast dual color fluorescence video microscopy allowed visualization with high temporal and spatial resolution. Our studies revealed that apical and basolateral cargo progressively segregated into large domains in Golgi/TGN structures, excluded resident proteins, and exited in separate transport containers. These carries remained distinct and did not merge with endocytic structures en route to the plasma membrane. Interestingly, our data suggest that the primary sorting occurs by lateral segregation in the Golgi, prior to budding (FIG 2). Further characterization of morphological differences of apical versus basolateral transport carriers was achieved using a specialized microscopy technique called total internal reflection (TIR) microscopy. with this approach only the bottom of the cell (<100 nm) was illuminated by an exponentially decaying evanescent “wave” of light. A series of images, taken at ∼1 second intervals, shows a bright “flash” of fluorescence when the vesicle fuse with the plasma membrane and the fluorophore diffuses into the plasma membrane (FIG 3).

scholarly journals Ligand-Mediated Assembly and Real-Time Cellular Dynamics of Estrogen Receptor α-Coactivator Complexes in Living Cells

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4404-4412 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Stenoien ◽  
Anne C. Nye ◽  
Maureen G. Mancini ◽  
Kavita Patel ◽  
Martin Dutertre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Estrogen Receptor ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Yellow Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Steroid Receptor ◽  
Estrogen Receptor Α ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Creb Binding Protein ◽  
High Accumulation

ABSTRACT Studies with live cells demonstrate that agonist and antagonist rapidly (within minutes) modulate the subnuclear dynamics of estrogen receptor α (ER) and steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC-1). A functional cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)-taggedlac repressor-ER chimera (CFP-LacER) was used in live cells to discretely immobilize ER on stably integratedlac operator arrays to study recruitment of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-steroid receptor coactivators (YFP–SRC-1 and YFP-CREB binding protein [CBP]). In the absence of ligand, YFP–SRC-1 is found dispersed throughout the nucleoplasm, with a surprisingly high accumulation on the CFP-LacER arrays. Agonist addition results in the rapid (within minutes) recruitment of nucleoplasmic YFP–SRC-1, while antagonist additions diminish YFP–SRC-1–CFP-LacER associations. Less ligand-independent colocalization is observed with CFP-LacER and YFP-CBP, but agonist-induced recruitment occurs within minutes. The agonist-induced recruitment of coactivators requires helix 12 and critical residues in the ER–SRC-1 interaction surface, but not the F, AF-1, or DNA binding domains. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching indicates that YFP–SRC-1, YFP-CBP, and CFP-LacER complexes undergo rapid (within seconds) molecular exchange even in the presence of an agonist. Taken together, these data suggest a dynamic view of receptor-coregulator interactions that is now amenable to real-time study in living cells.

Illuminating subcellular structures and dynamics in plants: a fluorescent protein toolboxThis review is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Issue on Plant Cell Biology.

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preetinder K. Dhanoa ◽  
Alison M. Sinclair ◽  
Robert T. Mullen ◽  
Jaideep Mathur
Keyword(s):  
Plant Cell ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Live Imaging ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Exciting Possibility ◽  
Selection Of

The discovery and development of multicoloured fluorescent proteins has led to the exciting possibility of observing a remarkable array of subcellular structures and dynamics in living cells. This minireview highlights a number of the more common fluorescent protein probes in plants and is a testimonial to the fact that the plant cell has not lagged behind during the live-imaging revolution and is ready for even more in-depth exploration.

Abstract 89: MitoTimer Mouse: a Novel Tool for the Study of Mitochondrial Turnover in vivo

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandr B Stotland ◽  
Jennifer Ramil ◽  
Roberta A Gottlieb
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Tissue ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Green Fluorescence ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
High Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Turnover ◽  
Single Mitochondrion ◽  
Degree Of Heterogeneity

In order to study mitochondrial turnover at the level of a single mitochondrion, our laboratory has developed the MitoTimer protein. Timer is a mutant of DsRed fluorescent protein developed by Terskikh et al. The Timer protein transitions from green fluorescence to a more stable red conformation as it matures over a span of 48 h. Furthermore, the protein is very stable under physiological conditions, insensitive to variations in ionic strength, and changes in pH between 7.0 and 8.0. Notably, Timer maturation from green to red is significantly slowed in deoxygenated buffer, suggesting that molecular oxygen plays a part in fluorophore maturation. We fused the Timer protein with the mitochondrial signal sequence from the cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIII (COX8) to target the protein to the inner membrane of the mitochondria, and further cloned the protein into a construct with a cardiac-restricted α-myosin heavy chain promoter. This construct was used to create the α-MHC MitoTimer mice. Surprisingly, initial analysis of the hearts from these mice reveals a remarkable degree of heterogeneity in the ratio of red-to- green fluorescence of MitoTimer in cardiac tissue. Furthermore, individual mitochondria within cardiomyocytes display a higher red-to-green fluorescence, implying a block in import of newly synthesized MitoTimer that would be caused by the lack of a high membrane potential, indicative of older, dysfunctional mitochondria. Initial studies suggest that these mice represent an elegant tool for the investigation of mitochondrial turnover in the heart.

scholarly journals Direct Visualization of the Translocation of the γ-Subspecies of Protein Kinase C in Living Cells Using Fusion Proteins with Green Fluorescent Protein

1997 ◽  
Vol 139 (6) ◽  
pp. 1465-1476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norio Sakai ◽  
Keiko Sasaki ◽  
Natsu Ikegaki ◽  
Yasuhito Shirai ◽  
Yoshitaka Ono ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Gfp Fusion Protein ◽  
Green Fluorescent

We expressed the γ-subspecies of protein kinase C (γ-PKC) fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in various cell lines and observed the movement of this fusion protein in living cells under a confocal laser scanning fluorescent microscope. γ-PKC–GFP fusion protein had enzymological properties very similar to that of native γ-PKC. The fluorescence of γ-PKC– GFP was observed throughout the cytoplasm in transiently transfected COS-7 cells. Stimulation by an active phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate [TPA]) but not by an inactive phorbol ester (4α-phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate) induced a significant translocation of γ-PKC–GFP from cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. A23187, a Ca2+ ionophore, induced a more rapid translocation of γ-PKC–GFP than TPA. The A23187-induced translocation was abolished by elimination of extracellular and intracellular Ca2+. TPA- induced translocation of γ-PKC–GFP was unidirected, while Ca2+ ionophore–induced translocation was reversible; that is, γ-PKC–GFP translocated to the membrane returned to the cytosol and finally accumulated as patchy dots on the plasma membrane. To investigate the significance of C1 and C2 domains of γ-PKC in translocation, we expressed mutant γ-PKC–GFP fusion protein in which the two cysteine rich regions in the C1 region were disrupted (designated as BS 238) or the C2 region was deleted (BS 239). BS 238 mutant was translocated by Ca2+ ionophore but not by TPA. In contrast, BS 239 mutant was translocated by TPA but not by Ca2+ ionophore. To examine the translocation of γ-PKC–GFP under physiological conditions, we expressed it in NG-108 cells, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor–transfected COS-7 cells, or CHO cells expressing metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (CHO/mGluR1 cells). In NG-108 cells , K+ depolarization induced rapid translocation of γ-PKC–GFP. In NMDA receptor–transfected COS-7 cells, application of NMDA plus glycine also translocated γ-PKC–GFP. Furthermore, rapid translocation and sequential retranslocation of γ-PKC–GFP were observed in CHO/ mGluR1 cells on stimulation with the receptor. Neither cytochalasin D nor colchicine affected the translocation of γ-PKC–GFP, indicating that translocation of γ-PKC was independent of actin and microtubule. γ-PKC–GFP fusion protein is a useful tool for investigating the molecular mechanism of γ-PKC translocation and the role of γ-PKC in the central nervous system.

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