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Brown MR, Garside H, Thompson E, Atwal S, Bean C, Goodall T, Sullivan M, Graham MJ. From the Cover: Development and Application of a Dual Rat and Human AHR Activation Assay. Toxicol Sci 2018; 160:408-419. [PMID: 29029351 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant prolonged aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) activation, classically exhibited following exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, can cause a variety of undesirable toxicological effects. Novel pharmaceutical chemistries also have the potential to cause activation of AHR and consequent toxicities in pre-clinical species and man. Previous methods either employed relatively expensive and low-throughput primary hepatocyte dosing with PCR endpoint, or low resolution overexpressing reporter gene assays. We have developed, validated and applied an in vitro microtitre plate imaging-based medium throughput screening assay for the assessment of endogenous species-specific AHR activation potential via detection of induction of the surrogate transcriptional target Cytochrome P450 CYP1A1. Routine testing of pharmaceutical drug development candidate chemistries using this assay can influence the chemical design process and highlight AHR liabilities. This assay should be introduced such that human AHR activation liability is flagged early for confirmatory testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin R Brown
- Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D Darwin, Cambridge CB4 0WG, UK
| | - Helen Garside
- Discovery Safety & Metabolism, AstraZeneca R&D, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Emma Thompson
- Discovery Safety & Metabolism, AstraZeneca R&D, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Saseela Atwal
- Discovery Safety & Metabolism, AstraZeneca R&D, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Chloe Bean
- AstraZeneca R&D Charnwood, Loughborough, Leics LE11 5RH, UK
| | - Tony Goodall
- AstraZeneca R&D Charnwood, Loughborough, Leics LE11 5RH, UK
| | | | - Mark J Graham
- AstraZeneca R&D Charnwood, Loughborough, Leics LE11 5RH, UK
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Stacey P, Wassermann AM, Kammonen L, Impey E, Wilbrey A, Cawkill D. Plate-Based Phenotypic Screening for Pain Using Human iPSC-Derived Sensory Neurons. SLAS DISCOVERY 2018; 23:585-596. [PMID: 29547351 DOI: 10.1177/2472555218764678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Screening against a disease-relevant phenotype to identify compounds that change the outcome of biological pathways, rather than just the activity of specific targets, offers an alternative approach to find modulators of disease characteristics. However, in pain research, use of in vitro phenotypic screens has been impeded by the challenge of sourcing relevant neuronal cell types in sufficient quantity and developing functional end-point measurements with a direct disease link. To overcome these hurdles, we have generated human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived sensory neurons at a robust production scale using the concept of cryopreserved "near-assay-ready" cells to decouple complex cell production from assay development and screening. hiPSC sensory neurons have then been used for development of a 384-well veratridine-evoked calcium flux assay. This functional assay of neuronal excitability was validated for phenotypic relevance to pain and other hyperexcitability disorders through screening a small targeted validation compound subset. A 2700-compound chemogenomics screen was then conducted to profile the range of target-based mechanisms able to inhibit veratridine-evoked excitability. This report presents the assay development, validation, and screening data. We conclude that high-throughput-compatible pain-relevant phenotypic screening with hiPSC sensory neurons is feasible and ready for application for the identification of new targets, pathways, mechanisms of action, and compounds for modulating neuronal excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Stacey
- 1 Pfizer Neusentis, Great Abington, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | | | | | - Emma Impey
- 1 Pfizer Neusentis, Great Abington, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Anna Wilbrey
- 1 Pfizer Neusentis, Great Abington, Cambridgeshire, UK
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Abdelrahman A, Namasivayam V, Hinz S, Schiedel AC, Köse M, Burton M, El-Tayeb A, Gillard M, Bajorath J, de Ryck M, Müller CE. Characterization of P2X4 receptor agonists and antagonists by calcium influx and radioligand binding studies. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 125:41-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Calvo D, Vázquez MJ, Ashby C, Domínguez JM. Kinetic considerations on the development of binding assays in single-addition mode: application to the search for α2δ1 modulators. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR SCREENING 2012; 17:1041-9. [PMID: 22772056 DOI: 10.1177/1087057112452318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The development of assays in single-addition mode is of great interest for screening purposes given the multiple advantages of minimizing the number of intervention steps. Binding assays seem to be more prone to this attractive format because no functional biological activity is taking place but instead a biophysical process, whose dynamics seem easier to control without introducing significant alterations, is happening. Therefore, single-addition assays based on the displacement of prebound labeled ligands can be conceived, but careful kinetic considerations must still be taken to maximize the sensitivity of the assay and to avoid jeopardizing the identification of compounds with slow-binding kinetics. This article shows the development of a single-addition, displacement-based binding assay intended to identify modulators that act by binding to the gabapentin site of the ion channel regulatory protein α2δ1. After studying the kinetics of gabapentin binding and the influence they might have on the assay sensitivity, the best conditions were identified, and the sensitivity was compared with that of the more classical two-additions competition-based assay. Although the present study focuses on α2δ1 and its interaction with gabapentin, the rationale and the methodology followed are of broad purpose and can be applied to virtually every binding assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Calvo
- Biological Reagents and Assay Development Department, GlaxoSmithKline, Madrid, Spain
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5
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Coopman K. Large-scale compatible methods for the preservation of human embryonic stem cells: Current perspectives. Biotechnol Prog 2011; 27:1511-21. [DOI: 10.1002/btpr.680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Abstract
This study investigated the use of large-scale transiently transfected cryopreserved cells for medium-throughput cellular screening. The data generated indicated that preprepared transiently transfected cryobanks can be used for cell-based assays and in fact can greatly enhance the consistency of data generated by cellular screens. In addition to this, a generic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was designed that introduced a c-Myc tag to four different targets and allowed all four cell assays to be run using a standardized process. These process improvements yielded cost savings and greatly reduced the required resource, as well as reducing timelines for developing cellular assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie A. Macmillan
- Marie A. Macmillan was contracted to AstraZeneca via Morson International, Adamson House, Centenary Way, Salford, Manchester, UK
| | - David I. Fisher
- Discovery Enabling Capabilities and Science, AstraZeneca, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK
| | - Karen Roberts
- Oncology, AstraZeneca, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK
| | - Jonathan P. Orme
- Oncology, AstraZeneca, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK
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7
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Abstract
One of the main reasons for drug failures in clinical development, or postmarket launch, is lacking or compromised safety margins at therapeutic doses. Organ toxicity with poorly defined mechanisms and adverse drug reactions associated with on- and off-target effects are the major contributors to safety-related shortfalls of many clinical drug candidates. Therefore, to avoid high attrition rates in clinical trials, it is imperative to test compounds for potential adverse reactions during early drug discovery. Beyond a small number of targets associated with clinically acknowledged adverse drug reactions, there is little consensus on other targets that are important to consider at an early stage for in vitro safety pharmacology assessment. We consider here a limited number of safety-related targets, from different target families, which were selected as part of in vitro safety pharmacology profiling panels integrated in the drug-development process at Novartis. The best way to assess these targets, using a biochemical or a functional readout, is discussed. In particular, the importance of using cell-based profiling assays for the characterization of an agonist action at some GPCRs is highlighted. A careful design of in vitro safety pharmacology profiling panels allows better prediction of potential adverse effects of new chemical entities early in the drug-discovery process. This contributes to the selection of the best candidate for clinical development and, ultimately, should contribute to a decreased attrition rate.
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TerWee JA, Chin CL, Watrin S, Tello RF, Rieder NJ, Lowell JD, Latham-Timmons D. Increased consistency and efficiency in routine potency testing by bioassay with direct use of cryopreserved (ready-to-plate) cells. J Immunol Methods 2011; 370:65-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2011.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2011] [Revised: 05/23/2011] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Brown AJ, Daniels DA, Kassim M, Brown S, Haslam CP, Terrell VR, Brown J, Nichols PL, Staton PC, Wise A, Dowell SJ. Pharmacology of GPR55 in yeast and identification of GSK494581A as a mixed-activity glycine transporter subtype 1 inhibitor and GPR55 agonist. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2011; 337:236-46. [PMID: 21233197 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.110.172650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
GPR55 is a G protein-coupled receptor activated by L-α-lysophosphatidylinositol and suggested to have roles in pain signaling, bone morphogenesis, and possibly in vascular endothelial cells. It has affinity for certain cannabinoids (molecules that interact with the cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptors), but investigation of its functional role in cell-based systems and in tissue has been limited by a lack of selective pharmacological tools. Here, we present our characterization of GPR55 in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. We describe GSK494581A (1-{2-fluoro-4-[1-(methyloxy)ethyl]phenyl}-4-{[4'-fluoro-4-(methylsulfonyl)-2-biphenylyl]carbonyl}piperazine), a selective small-molecule ligand of GPR55 identified through diversity screening. GSK494581A is one of a series of benzoylpiperazines originally identified and patented as inhibitors of the glycine transporter subtype 1 (GlyT1). The structure-activity relationship between GPR55 and GlyT1 is divergent across this series. The most GPR55-selective example is GSK575594A (3-fluoro-4-(4-{[4'-fluoro-4-(methylsulfonyl)-2-biphenylyl]carbonyl}-1-piperazinyl)aniline), which is approximately 60-fold selective for GPR55 (pEC(50) = 6.8) over GlyT1 (pIC(50) = 5.0). Several exemplars with activity at GPR55 and GlyT1 have been profiled at a broad range of other molecular targets and are inactive at cannabinoid receptors and all other targets tested. The benzoylpiperazine agonists activate human GPR55 but not rodent GPR55, suggesting that the relatively low level of sequence identity between these orthologs (75%) translates to important functional differences in the ligand-binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Brown
- Screening and Compound Profiling, Medicines Research Centre, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, UK.
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Gianotti M, Botta M, Brough S, Carletti R, Castiglioni E, Corti C, Dal-Cin M, Delle Fratte S, Korajac D, Lovric M, Merlo G, Mesic M, Pavone F, Piccoli L, Rast S, Roscic M, Sava A, Smehil M, Stasi L, Togninelli A, Wigglesworth MJ. Novel Spirotetracyclic Zwitterionic Dual H1/5-HT2A Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Sleep Disorders. J Med Chem 2010; 53:7778-95. [DOI: 10.1021/jm100856p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Gianotti
- Neurosciences CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Maurizio Botta
- Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Universitá degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stephen Brough
- GlaxoSmithKline, New Frontiers Science Park, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5AW, U.K
| | - Renzo Carletti
- Neurosciences CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Emiliano Castiglioni
- Neurosciences CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Corrado Corti
- Neurosciences CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Dal-Cin
- Neurosciences CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Sonia Delle Fratte
- Neurosciences CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Denana Korajac
- Integrated Research Unit, IRU Chemistry, Prilaz Baruna Filipovica 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marija Lovric
- Integrated Research Unit, IRU Chemistry, Prilaz Baruna Filipovica 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Giancarlo Merlo
- Neurosciences CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Milan Mesic
- Integrated Research Unit, IRU Chemistry, Prilaz Baruna Filipovica 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Francesca Pavone
- Neurosciences CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Laura Piccoli
- Neurosciences CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Slavko Rast
- Integrated Research Unit, IRU Chemistry, Prilaz Baruna Filipovica 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Roscic
- Integrated Research Unit, IRU Chemistry, Prilaz Baruna Filipovica 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anna Sava
- Neurosciences CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Mario Smehil
- Integrated Research Unit, IRU Chemistry, Prilaz Baruna Filipovica 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Luigi Stasi
- Neurosciences CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Togninelli
- Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Universitá degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Mark J. Wigglesworth
- GlaxoSmithKline, New Frontiers Science Park, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5AW, U.K
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Castiglioni E, Di Fabio R, Togninelli A, Brough S, Brown F, Cin MD, Gianotti M, Marchioro C, Merlo G, Spinosa R, Wigglesworth MJ, Botta M. Towards the Discovery of New Hypnotic Agents: Synthesis and Preliminary Pharmacological Evaluation of a Novel Class of Dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene Derivatives. ChemMedChem 2010; 5:1843-6. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201000280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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12
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Gianotti M, Corti C, Fratte SD, Di Fabio R, Leslie CP, Pavone F, Piccoli L, Stasi L, Wigglesworth MJ. Novel imidazobenzazepine derivatives as dual H1/5-HT2A antagonists for the treatment of sleep disorders. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2010; 20:5069-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2010.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2010] [Revised: 07/07/2010] [Accepted: 07/08/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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13
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Swearingen EA, Fajardo F, Wang X, Watson JEV, Quon KC, Kassner PD. Use of cryopreserved cell aliquots in the high-throughput screening of small interfering RNA libraries. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 15:469-77. [PMID: 20371867 DOI: 10.1177/1087057110365899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Screening small interfering RNA (siRNA) libraries holds the potential to elucidate gene function as well as discover new targets for the therapeutic treatment of disease. Since the inception of siRNA as a discovery tool, there have been progressive improvements in siRNA design algorithms, the transfection reagents used to deliver them, and the assay formats used to monitor phenotypic changes. These changes have helped to improve the quality of the data emerging from siRNA screens. One variable that introduces inconsistency into high-throughput screening (HTS) of siRNA libraries is the state of the cells used in the assays. Multiple factors can contribute to differences in transfection efficiency as well as the basic cell biology, which can lead to differences in the genes identified in siRNA screens. The authors have developed a system using frozen cell aliquots to use in siRNA HTS, so that a major source of variability introduced into cell-based screens can be standardized. In addition, by transiently transfecting plasmids into cell lines and then freezing these cells down to use in siRNA transfection experiments, they have used this same technology to create new cell lines. This process of using aliquots of frozen cells is logistically advantageous in an HTS setting, as it reduces the time spent maintaining cell lines, as well as reducing possible downtime in screening due to lack of cells or poor cell health.
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Hampton SL, Kinnaird AI. Genetic interventions in mammalian cells; applications and uses in high-throughput screening and drug discovery. Cell Biol Toxicol 2009; 26:43-55. [PMID: 19904619 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-009-9140-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2009] [Accepted: 10/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Functional cellular assays are the bedrock of modern drug discovery. These utilise cellular systems that yield a measurable biochemical product or physiological response to drug stimulation. Often, these functional responses are studied by the introduction of the molecular target of choice into an inert cellular background to create a more discriminating system. There are as many techniques for delivery of the required target gene as there are techniques for studying their function. This article will consider the genetic modification of cell lines in vitro to develop cell-based assays for drug discovery and high-throughput screening.
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Thomas RJ, Anderson D, Chandra A, Smith NM, Young LE, Williams D, Denning C. Automated, scalable culture of human embryonic stem cells in feeder-free conditions. Biotechnol Bioeng 2009; 102:1636-44. [PMID: 19062183 DOI: 10.1002/bit.22187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale manufacture of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is prerequisite to their widespread use in biomedical applications. However, current hESC culture strategies are labor-intensive and employ highly variable processes, presenting challenges for scaled production and commercial development. Here we demonstrate that passaging of the hESC lines, HUES7, and NOTT1, with trypsin in feeder-free conditions, is compatible with complete automation on the CompacT SelecT, a commercially available and industrially relevant robotic platform. Pluripotency was successfully retained, as evidenced by consistent proliferation during serial passage, expression of stem cell markers (OCT4, NANOG, TRA1-81, and SSEA-4), stable karyotype, and multi-germlayer differentiation in vitro, including to pharmacologically responsive cardiomyocytes. Automation of hESC culture will expedite cell-use in clinical, scientific, and industrial applications.
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Wise H, Abel PW, Cawkill D. Use of Reduced Temperature Cell Pausing to Enhance Flexibility of Cell-Based Assays. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 14:716-22. [DOI: 10.1177/1087057109335748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Construction and supply of cell-based reagents for in vitro plate-based screens are often highlighted as a bottleneck within drug discovery. Recent years have seen the successful application of both cryopreservation and automation to increase the capacity and flexibility of cell provision. However, routine cell culture remains a fixed experimental process that requires cells to be prepared and used at specific times. We have investigated the potential of reduced temperature incubation to be used as a simple methodology for stopping and starting cell growth and introduce further flexibility into cell provision. Our results show that incubation of CHOK1, HEK293, and 1321N1 cells at 23 °C arrested growth while maintaining cell viability. Recovery of these paused cells at 37 °C resulted in resumption of normal cell growth and target protein function. Experiments demonstrated that paused cells, expressing either a recombinant G-protein-coupled receptor or an ion channel, performed comparably with the equivalent continuously cultured cells in a 384-well cell-based assay. This simple technique offers the potential to introduce flexibility into cell culture experiments and processes that were previously considered to be fixed. ( Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2009:716-722)
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Wise
- Pfizer Global Research & Development, Sandwich, Kent, UK
| | | | - Darren Cawkill
- Pfizer Global Research & Development, Sandwich, Kent, UK,
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