cells

How Calcium Shapes Cell Communication and Invasion

Posted on by Shannon Sindermann

Platelets are best known for their role in blood clotting, but they also participate in other biological processes that influence how cells communicate and behave. In research models, scientists have observed that tumor cells can interact with platelets in ways that affect how they move and attach to new environments. A recent study by Morris et al., published in Scientific Reports, explored the molecular details behind these platelet–cell interactions and the role of calcium in regulating them.

The Role of Integrins and Calcium

The study focused on integrins, which are surface proteins that help cells anchor to their surroundings and communicate with the extracellular matrix. Two integrins, αIIbβ3 and αvβ3, are particularly important because they mediate platelet–platelet and platelet–cancer cell binding. Their structure and function depend on divalent cations such as calcium, which stabilize receptor conformation and support ligand binding.

When extracellular calcium levels were manipulated, platelet behavior changed in distinct ways.

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Exploring How NEAT1 Shapes Granulosa Cell Function

Posted on by Shannon Sindermann
Granulosa Cells

Granulosa cells (GCs), which surround and support developing oocytes, play a critical role in estrogen production, follicle maturation and overall ovarian health (3). Their ability to regulate hormone production and cell survival makes them a central focus in studies of ovarian biology.

A recent study investigated how the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) NEAT1 regulates GC function and mapped a pathway that links NEAT1 expression to cell proliferation, apoptosis and hormone production (1).

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Do Zebrafish Hold the Key to Heart Regeneration? 

Posted on by Shannon Sindermann
Heart regeneration after heart attacks can stop poor health outcomes, read for more research

The human body has an incredible capacity for self-repair. Our skin can regenerate after a small cut, bones can heal after fractures and even the liver can regrow to its original size after 70% is lost or removed (3). However, when it comes to the heart, the story is very different. As Miley Cyrus once sang, “nothing breaks like a heart” – and science agrees. Unlike other organs, the heart has almost no ability to regenerate itself after injuries. In instances like myocardial infarctions, more commonly known as heart attacks, large amounts of cardiomyocytes (CMs)—the cells responsible for heart muscle contraction—are lost and cannot be regenerated, causing the formation of non-regenerative fibrotic scar tissue and, ultimately, decline in heart function (1).  

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Tips for Multiplex Cell-Based Assay Success

Posted on by Promega
Performing a multiplex cell based assay save you time and help you get the most from your critical samples.
Analyzing more than one biomarker can save you time and help you get the most from your critical samples.

Analyzing more than one cellular biomarker (multiplexing) in a single sample is advantageous for a number of reasons. Multiplexing allows researchers to save money and time, while conserving critical samples. In addition, understanding the relationship between cell biomarkers can provide a more complete picture of cell health, leading to improved predictive models for drug discovery. Understanding biomarker relationships can also minimize ambiguity in the data set and validate if a treatment effect is real or an artifact of the system. To avoid repeat experiments and extract the most physiologically relevant data from multiplex cell-based assays, we discuss considerations around assay choices, cell type, cell culture, treatment parameters, detection and appropriate experimental controls.

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