Energy metabolism

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the main energy currency of cells, while creatine phosphate (CrP) is considered as a buffer of high energy-bond phosphate that facilitates rapid regeneration of ATP from adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Cultured brain cells contain high amounts of both ATP and CrP. ATP is rapidly regenerated from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in brain cells by creatine kinase, cytosolic glycolysis and/or mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. We are studying the potential endogenous and exogenous substrates that are able to maintain high cellular contents of ATP in brain cells and the transporters and enzymes that are involved in the respective metabolic pathways.