Abstract: Methods of inhibiting formation of complexes of CDGSH iron-sulfur domain (CISD) protein and pyridoxal-5?-phosphate (PLP) are provided herein. More specifically, methods of inhibiting formation of CISD protein-PLP complexes include exposing a CISD protein to a compound with specific binding affinity for a designated lysine residue in the CISD protein. Inhibition of CISD protein-PLP complex formation is relevant to disease states associated with the CISD protein-PLP complex.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reliably stabilizing eukaryotic cells that express the P2X7 receptor channel, particularly mammalian and other vertebrate cells, including human cells, for example mammalian macrophages, or hematopoietic stem cells, in order to introduce otherwise membrane-impermeable compounds that are helpful for stabilizing the cells during drying, chilling, freezing, freeze-drying, or cryopreservation. The cells are exposed to extracellular ATP in concentration sufficient to open pores in the plasma membrane. One or more otherwise membrane-impermeable compounds that aid the survivorship of cells are then introduced, for example, trehalose, and after a brief time the pores are closed—for example, by adding divalent cations, or by diluting the extracellular solution. Once the trehalose or other stabilizing compound has been introduced, the cells may be stably preserved. By taking advantage of an endogenous mammalian receptor and ATP, no antigenic compounds need be introduced.