'Real-time measurements of second messengers in living cells, such as cAMP, are usually performed by ratiometric fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging. However, correct calibration of FRET ratios, accurate calculations of absolute cAMP levels and actual permeabilities of different cAMP analogs have been challenging. Here we present a protocol that ... More
A critical role for choline kinase-alpha in the aggressiveness of bladder carcinomas.
AuthorsHernando E, Sarmentero-Estrada J, Koppie T, Belda-Iniesta C, Ramírez de Molina V, Cejas P, Ozu C, Le C, Sánchez JJ, González-Barón M, Koutcher J, Cordón-Cardó C, Bochner BH, Lacal JC, Ramírez de Molina A,
JournalOncogene
PubMed ID19448670
'Bladder cancer is one of the most common causes of death in industrialized countries. New tumor markers and therapeutic approaches are still needed to improve the management of bladder cancer patients. Choline kinase-alpha (ChoKalpha) is a metabolic enzyme that has a role in cell proliferation and transformation. Inhibitors of ChoKalpha ... More
Fabrication of synthetic polymer coatings and their use in feeder-free culture of human embryonic stem cells.
The culture of human embryonic stem (hES) cells in defined and xenogeneic-free conditions will contribute substantially to future biotechnological and medical applications. To achieve this goal, we developed the first fully defined synthetic polymer coating poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide] (PMEDSAH) that sustains long-term growth of hES cells in different culture media. ... More
High concordance of drug-induced human hepatotoxicity with in vitro cytotoxicity measured in a novel cell-based model using high content screening.
AuthorsO'Brien PJ, Irwin W, Diaz D, Howard-Cofield E, Krejsa CM, Slaughter MR, Gao B, Kaludercic N, Angeline A, Bernardi P, Brain P, Hougham C,
JournalArch Toxicol
PubMed ID16598496
To develop and validate a practical, in vitro, cell-based model to assess human hepatotoxicity potential of drugs, we used the new technology of high content screening (HCS) and a novel combination of critical model features, including (1) use of live, human hepatocytes with drug metabolism capability, (2) preincubation of cells ... More
Protection of Primary Dopaminergic Midbrain Neurons by GPR139 Agonists Supports Different Mechanisms of MPP(+) and Rotenone Toxicity.
AuthorsBayer Andersen K, Leander Johansen J, Hentzer M, Smith GP, Dietz GP,
JournalFront Cell Neurosci
PubMed ID27445691
'The G-protein coupled receptor 139 (GPR139) is expressed specifically in the brain in areas of relevance for motor control. GPR139 function and signal transduction pathways are elusive, and results in the literature are even contradictory. Here, we examined the potential neuroprotective effect of GPR139 agonism in primary culture models of ... More