Validation of PROTEOSTAT® Aggresome Detection Kit and ROS-ID® Total ROSDetection Kit via the IncuCyte S3 and Operetta CLS Automated Imaging Platforms

INTRODUCTION

The formation of protein aggregates and reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells are two factors that play a critical role in cellular stress responses and the pathogenesis of various diseases, including neurological disorders (such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s), cancers (such as solid tumors and leukemia), and cardiovascular pathologies. While aggresomes form when other proteasome systems are overwhelmed with misfolded or aggregated proteins, their formation is a double-edged sword. In a typical cell, aggresomes can serve as cytoprotective entities by means of sequestering misfolded structures in proteinaceous inclusions, aiding their further clearance by the autophagy-lysosome pathway. In the context of cancer, aggresome formation might facilitate cell survival under high metabolic activity. On the other hand, ROS are highly reactive molecules that are naturally produced during cellular metabolism, particularly in mitochondria. While ROS is essential for normal cellular signaling, excessive ROS production leads to oxidative stress, which can damage cellular structures, including proteins, lipids, and DNA. There is some overlap between aggresomes and ROS, as the formation of aggresomes is often triggered by oxidative stress, and ROS can be produced as a result of aggresome formation. These factors underscore the complexity of cellular stress management, and highlight the importance of studying these signals in research aimed at creating therapeutic strategies related to protein misfolding, neurodegeneration, and other cellular dysfunctions.

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