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Application of the Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA) to validate drug target engagement in platelets.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Howes, Joanna-Marie 
Harper, Matthew T 

Abstract

Small molecule drugs play a major role in the study of human platelets. Effective action of a drug requires it to bind to one or more targets within the platelet (target engagement). However, although in vitro assays with isolated proteins can be used to determine drug affinity to these targets, additional factors affect target engagement and its consequences in an intact platelet, including plasma membrane permeability, intracellular metabolism or compartmentalization, and level of target expression. Mechanistic interpretation of the effect of drugs on platelet activity requires comprehensive investigation of drug binding in the proper cellular context, i.e. in intact platelets. The Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA) is a valuable method to investigate target engagement within complex cellular environments. The assay is based on the principle that drug binding to a target protein increases that protein's thermal stability. In this technical report, we describe the application of CETSA to platelets. We highlight CETSA as a quick and informative technique for confirming the direct binding of drugs to platelet protein targets, providing a platform for understanding the mechanism of action of drugs in platelets, and which will be a valuable tool for investigating platelet signaling and function.

Description

Keywords

CETSA, drug binding, platelets, thermal stability, Humans, Blood Platelets, Protein Binding

Journal Title

Platelets

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0953-7104
1369-1635

Volume Title

Publisher

Informa UK Limited
Sponsorship
British Heart Foundation (PG/20/12/34982)