Peptide-based microcapsules obtained by self-assembly and microfluidics as controlled environments for cell culture

Funding for this study was provided by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, grant PTDC/EBB-BIO/ 114523/2009). D. S. Ferreira gratefully acknowledges FCT for the PhD scholarship (SFRH/BD/44977/2008)

Hypoxia decreases creatine uptake in cardiomyocytes, while creatine supplementation enhances HIF activation

Abstract Creatine (Cr), phosphocreatine (PCr), and creatine kinases (CK) comprise an energy shuttle linking ATP production in mitochondria with cellular consumption sites. Myocytes cannot synthesize Cr: these cells depend on uptake across the cell membrane by a specialized creatine transporter (CrT) to maintain intracellular Cr levels. Hypoxia interferes with energy metabolism, including the activity of the creatine energy shuttle, and therefore affects intracellular ATP and PCr levels. Here, we report that exposing cultured cardiomyocytes to low oxygen levels rapidly diminishes Cr transport by decreasing V max and K m. Pharmacological activation of AMP‐activated kinase (AMPK) abrogated the reduction in Cr transport caused by hypoxia. Cr supplementation increases ATP and PCr content in cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia, while also significantly augmenting the cellular adaptive response to hypoxia mediated by HIF‐1 activation. Our results indicate that: (1) hypoxia reduces Cr transport in cardiomyocytes in culture, (2) the cytoprotective effects of Cr supplementation are related to enhanced adaptive physiological responses to hypoxia mediated by HIF‐1, and (3) Cr supplementation increases the cellular ATP and PCr content in RNCMs exposed to hypoxia

Removal of Potential Phosphorylation Sites does not Alter Creatine Transporter Response to PKC or Substrate Availability

Background: Creatine, Phosphocreatine, and creatine kinases, constitute an energy shuttle that links ATP production in mitochondria with cellular consumption sites. Myocytes and neurons cannot synthesize creatine and depend on uptake across the cell membrane by a specialized transporter to maintain intracellular creatine levels. Although recent studies have improved our understanding of creatine transport in cardiomyocytes, the structural elements underlying the creatine transporter protein regulation and the relevant intracellular signaling processes are unknown. Methods: The effects of pharmacological activation of kinases or phosphatases on creatine transport in cardiomyocytes in culture were evaluated. Putative phosphorylation sites in the creatine transporter protein were identified by bioinformatics analyses, and ablated using site-directed mutagenesis. Mutant transporter function and their responses to pharmacological PKC activation or changes in creatine availability in the extracellular environment, were evaluated. Results: PKC activation decreases creatine transport in cardiomyocytes in culture. Elimination of high probability potential phosphorylation sites did not abrogate responses to PKC activation or substrate availability. Conclusion: Modulation of creatine transport in cardiomyocytes is a complex process where phosphorylation at predicted sites in the creatine transporter protein does not significantly alter activity. Instead, non-classical structural elements in the creatine transporter and/or interactions with regulatory subunits may modulate its activity