scholarly journals Microinjection of fluorescent tubulin into dividing sea urchin cells.

1983 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 1249-1254 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Wadsworth ◽  
R D Sloboda
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Daughter Cell ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Lytechinus Variegatus ◽  
Linear Polymers ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Image Intensification ◽  
Fluorescent Polymer

To follow the dynamics of microtubule (MT) assembly and disassembly during mitosis in living cells, tubulin has been covalently modified with the fluorochrome 5-(4,6-dichlorotriazin-2-yl)aminofluorescein and microinjected into fertilized eggs of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. The changing distribution of the fluorescent protein probe is visualized in a fluorescence microscope coupled to an image intensification video system. Cells that have been injected with fluorescent tubulin show fluorescent linear polymers that assemble very rapidly and radiate from the spindle poles, coincident with the position of the astral fibers. No fluorescent polymer is apparent in other areas of the cytoplasm. When fluorescent tubulin is injected near the completion of anaphase, little incorporation of fluorescent tubulin into polymer is apparent, suggesting that new polymerization does not occur past a critical point in anaphase. These results demonstrate that MT polymerization is very rapid in vivo and that the assembly is both temporally and spatially regulated within the injected cells. Furthermore, the microinjected tubulin is stable within the sea urchin cytoplasm for at least 1 h since it can be reutilized in successive daughter cell spindles. Control experiments indicate that the observed fluorescence is dependent on MT assembly. The fluorescence is greatly diminished upon treatment of the cells with cold or colchicine agents known to cause the depolymerization of assembled MT. In addition, cells injected with fluorescent bovine serum albumin or assembly-incompetent fluorescent tubulin do not exhibit fluorescence localized in the spindle but rather appear diffusely fluorescent throughout the cytoplasm.

scholarly journals The in vivo mechanics of the magnetotactic backbone as revealed by correlative FLIM-FRET and STED microscopy

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Günther ◽  
André Klauß ◽  
Mauricio Toro-Nahuelpan ◽  
Dirk Schüler ◽  
Carsten Hille ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Particles ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Stimulated Emission ◽  
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging ◽  
Sted Microscopy

AbstractProtein interaction and protein imaging strongly benefit from the advancements in time-resolved and superresolution fluorescence microscopic techniques. However, the techniques were typically applied separately and ex vivo because of technical challenges and the absence of suitable fluorescent protein pairs. Here, we show correlative in vivo fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy Förster resonance energy transfer (FLIM-FRET) and stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy to unravel protein mechanics and structure in living cells. We use magnetotactic bacteria as a model system where two proteins, MamJ and MamK, are used to assemble magnetic particles called magnetosomes. The filament polymerizes out of MamK and the magnetosomes are connected via the linker MamJ. Our system reveals that bacterial filamentous structures are more fragile than the connection of biomineralized particles to this filament. More importantly, we anticipate the technique to find wide applicability for the study and quantification of biological processes in living cells and at high resolution.

scholarly journals Visualization of Periplasmic and Cytoplasmic Proteins with a Self-Labeling Protein Tag

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (7) ◽  
pp. 1035-1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Ke ◽  
Dirk Landgraf ◽  
Johan Paulsson ◽  
Mehmet Berkmen
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Functional Protein ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Additional Tool

ABSTRACTThe use of fluorescent and luminescent proteins in visualizing proteins has become a powerful tool in understanding molecular and cellular processes within living organisms. This success has resulted in an ever-increasing demand for new and more versatile protein-labeling tools that permit light-based detection of proteins within living cells. In this report, we present data supporting the use of the self-labeling HaloTag protein as a light-emitting reporter for protein fusions within the model prokaryoteEscherichia coli. We show that functional protein fusions of the HaloTag can be detected bothin vivoandin vitrowhen expressed within the cytoplasmic or periplasmic compartments ofE. coli. The capacity to visually detect proteins localized in various prokaryotic compartments expands today's molecular biologist toolbox and paves the path to new applications.IMPORTANCEVisualizing proteins microscopically within living cells is important for understanding both the biology of cells and the role of proteins within living cells. Currently, the most common tool is green fluorescent protein (GFP). However, fluorescent proteins such as GFP have many limitations; therefore, the field of molecular biology is always in need of new tools to visualize proteins. In this paper, we demonstrate, for the first time, the use of HaloTag to visualize proteins in two different compartments within the model prokaryoteEscherichia coli. The use of HaloTag as an additional tool to visualize proteins within prokaryotes increases our capacity to ask about and understand the role of proteins within living cells.

scholarly journals Cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation of the 77 kDa echinoderm microtubule-associated protein (EMAP) in vivo and association with the p34cdc2 kinase

1996 ◽  
Vol 109 (12) ◽  
pp. 2885-2893 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Brisch ◽  
M.A. Daggett ◽  
K.A. Suprenant
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Sea Urchin Eggs ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Cycle Dependent ◽  
Phosphopeptide Mapping

The most abundant microtubule-associated protein in sea urchin eggs and embryos is the 77 kDa echinoderm microtubule-associated protein (EMAP). EMAP localizes to the mitotic spindle as well as the interphase microtubule array and is a likely target for a cell cycle-activated kinase. To determine if EMAP is phosphorylated in vivo, sea urchin eggs and embryos were metabolically labeled with 32PO4 and a monospecific antiserum was used to immunoprecipitate EMAP from 32P-labeled eggs and embryos. In this study, we demonstrate that the 77 kDa EMAP is phosphorylated in vivo by two distinct mechanisms. In the unfertilized egg, EMAP is constitutively phosphorylated on at least five serine residues. During the first cleavage division following fertilization, EMAP is phosphorylated with a cell cycle-dependent time course. As the embryo enters mitosis, EMAP phosphorylation increases, and as the embryo exits mitosis, phosphorylation decreases. During mitosis, EMAP is phosphorylated on 10 serine residues and two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping reveals a mitosis-specific site of phosphorylation. At all stages of the cell cycle, a 33 kDa polypeptide copurifies with the 77 kDa EMAP, regardless of phosphorylation state. Antibodies against the cdc2 kinase were used to demonstrate that the 33 kDa polypeptide is the p34cdc2 kinase. The p34cdc2 kinase copurifies with the mitotic apparatus and immunostaining indicates that the p34cdc2 kinase is concentrated at the spindle poles. Models for the interaction of the p34cdc2 kinase and the 77 kDa EMAP are presented.

scholarly journals Oligomeric Sensor Kinase DcuS in the Membrane of Escherichia coli and in Proteoliposomes: Chemical Cross-linking and FRET Spectroscopy

2010 ◽  
Vol 192 (13) ◽  
pp. 3474-3483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick D. Scheu ◽  
Yun-Feng Liao ◽  
Julia Bauer ◽  
Holger Kneuper ◽  
Thomas Basché ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Yellow Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Oligomeric State ◽  
Bacterial Membranes ◽  
Chemical Cross Linking

ABSTRACT DcuS is the membrane-integral sensor histidine kinase of the DcuSR two-component system in Escherichia coli that responds to extracellular C4-dicarboxylates. The oligomeric state of full-length DcuS was investigated in vitro and in living cells by chemical cross-linking and by f luorescence r esonance e nergy t ransfer (FRET) spectroscopy. The FRET results were quantified by an improved method using background-free spectra of living cells for determining FRET efficiency (E) and donor fraction {fD = (donor)/[(donor) + (acceptor)]}. Functional fusions of cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) variants of green fluorescent protein to DcuS were used for in vivo FRET measurements. Based on noninteracting membrane proteins and perfectly interacting proteins (a CFP-YFP fusion), the results of FRET of cells coexpressing DcuS-CFP and DcuS-YFP were quantitatively evaluated. In living cells and after reconstitution of purified recombinant DcuS in proteoliposomes, DcuS was found as a dimer or higher oligomer, independent of the presence of an effector. Chemical cross-linking with disuccinimidyl suberate showed tetrameric, in addition to dimeric, DcuS in proteoliposomes and in membranes of bacteria, whereas purified DcuS in nondenaturing detergent was mainly monomeric. The presence and amount of tetrameric DcuS in vivo and in proteoliposomes was not dependent on the concentration of DcuS. Only membrane-embedded DcuS (present in the oligomeric state) is active in (auto)phosphorylation. Overall, the FRET and cross-linking data demonstrate the presence in living cells, in bacterial membranes, and in proteoliposomes of full-length DcuS protein in an oligomeric state, including a tetramer.

scholarly journals Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor: Analyses of Dynamic Behavior in Living Cells Reveal Multiple Modes of Regulation

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (22) ◽  
pp. 8172-8188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven P. Angus ◽  
David A. Solomon ◽  
Lioba Kuschel ◽  
Robert F. Hennigan ◽  
Erik S. Knudsen
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Tumor Suppressor ◽  
Dynamic Behavior ◽  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Dynamic Equilibrium ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor ◽  
Retinoblastoma Tumor

ABSTRACT The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor, RB, assembles multiprotein complexes to mediate cell cycle inhibition. Although many RB binding partners have been suggested to underlie these functions, the validity of these interactions on the behavior of RB complexes in living cells has not been investigated. Here, we studied the dynamic behavior of RB by using green fluorescent protein-RB fusion proteins. Although these proteins were universally nuclear, phosphorylation or oncoprotein binding mediated their active exclusion from the nucleolus. In vivo imaging approaches revealed that RB exists in dynamic equilibrium between a highly mobile and a slower diffusing species, and genetic lesions associated with tumorigenesis increased the fraction of RB in a highly mobile state. The RB complexes dictating cell cycle arrest were surprisingly dynamic and harbored a relatively short residence time on chromatin. In contrast, this rapid exchange was attenuated in cells that are hypersensitive to RB, suggesting that responsiveness may inversely correlate with mobility. The stability of RB dynamics within the cell was additionally modified by the presence and function of critical corepressors. Last, the RB-assembled complexes present in living cells were primarily associated with E2F binding sites in chromatin. In contrast to RB, E2F1 consistently maintained a stable association with E2F sites regardless of cell type. Together, these results elucidate the kinetic framework of RB tumor suppressor action in transcriptional repression and cell cycle regulation.

The allocation of early blastomeres to the ectoderm and endoderm is variable in the sea urchin embryo

Development ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 124 (11) ◽  
pp. 2213-2223 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.Y. Logan ◽  
D.R. McClay
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Lytechinus Variegatus ◽  
Cell Fates ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Sea Urchin Embryo

During sea urchin development, a tier-to-tier progression of cell signaling events is thought to segregate the early blastomeres to five different cell lineages by the 60-cell stage (E. H. Davidson, 1989, Development 105, 421–445). For example, the sixth equatorial cleavage produces two tiers of sister cells called ‘veg1′ and ‘veg2,’ which were projected by early studies to be allocated to the ectoderm and endoderm, respectively. Recent in vitro studies have proposed that the segregation of veg1 and veg2 cells to distinct fates involves signaling between the veg1 and veg2 tiers (O. Khaner and F. Wilt, 1991, Development 112, 881–890). However, fate-mapping studies on 60-cell stage embryos have not been performed with modern lineage tracers, and cell interactions between veg1 and veg2 cells have not been shown in vivo. Therefore, as an initial step towards examining how archenteron precursors are specified, a clonal analysis of veg1 and veg2 cells was performed using the lipophilic dye, DiI(C16), in the sea urchin species, Lytechinus variegatus. Both veg1 and veg2 descendants form archenteron tissues, revealing that the ectoderm and endoderm are not segregated at the sixth cleavage. Also, this division does not demarcate cell type boundaries within the endoderm, because both veg1 and veg2 descendants make an overlapping range of endodermal cell types. The allocation of veg1 cells to ectoderm and endoderm during cleavage is variable, as revealed by both the failure of veg1 descendants labeled at the eighth equatorial division to segregate predictably to either tissue and the large differences in the numbers of veg1 descendants that contribute to the ectoderm. Furthermore, DiI-labeled mesomeres of 32-cell stage embryos also contribute to the endoderm at a low frequency. These results show that the prospective archenteron is produced by a larger population of cleavage-stage blastomeres than believed previously. The segregation of veg1 cells to the ectoderm and endoderm occurs relatively late during development and is unpredictable, indicating that later cell position is more important than the early cleavage pattern in determining ectodermal and archenteron cell fates.

scholarly journals Dynamics of Protein Binding to Telomeres in Living Cells: Implications for Telomere Structure and Function

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 5587-5594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin A. Mattern ◽  
Susan J. J. Swiggers ◽  
Alex L. Nigg ◽  
Bob Löwenberg ◽  
Adriaan B. Houtsmuller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Residence Time ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Telomeric Dna ◽  
Chromosome Fusion ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Telomere Length Homeostasis ◽  
Chromosome End Protection

ABSTRACT Telomeric proteins have an essential role in the regulation of the length of the telomeric DNA tract and in protection against end-to-end chromosome fusion. Telomere organization and how individual proteins are involved in different telomere functions in living cells is largely unknown. By using green fluorescent protein tagging and photobleaching, we investigated in vivo interactions of human telomeric DNA-binding proteins with telomeric DNA. Our results show that telomeric proteins interact with telomeres in a complex dynamic fashion: TRF2, which has a dual role in chromosome end protection and telomere length homeostasis, resides at telomeres in two distinct pools. One fraction (∼73%) has binding dynamics similar to TRF1 (residence time of ∼44 s). Interestingly, the other fraction of TRF2 binds with similar dynamics as the putative end-protecting factor hPOT1 (residence time of ∼11 min). Our data support a dynamic model of telomeres in which chromosome end-protection and telomere length homeostasis are governed by differential binding of telomeric proteins to telomeric DNA.

scholarly journals Fusion of a fluorescent protein to the pUL25 minor capsid protein of pseudorabies virus allows live-cell capsid imaging with negligible impact on infection

2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin P. Bohannon ◽  
Patricia J. Sollars ◽  
Gary E. Pickard ◽  
Gregory A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Pseudorabies Virus ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Nuclear Dynamics ◽  
Infection Models ◽  
Simplex Virus

In order to resolve the location and activity of submicroscopic viruses in living cells, viral proteins are often fused to fluorescent proteins (FPs) and visualized by microscopy. In this study, we describe the fusion of FPs to three proteins of pseudorabies virus (PRV) that allowed imaging of capsids in living cells. Included in this study are the first recombinant PRV strains expressing FP–pUL25 fusions based on a design applied to herpes simplex virus type 1 by Homa and colleagues. The properties of each reporter virus were compared in both in vitro and in vivo infection models. PRV strains expressing FP–pUL25 and FP–pUL36 preserved wild-type properties better than traditional FP–pUL35 isolates in assays of plaque size and virulence in mice. The utility of these strains in studies of axon transport, nuclear dynamics and viral particle composition are documented.

Morphology and infraciliature of the oligotrich ciliate Strombidium rapulum (Yagiu, 1933) Kahl, 1934 (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Oligotrichida) from the intestine of sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus Agassiz

Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1113 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAPENG P. XU ◽  
WEIBO B. SONG ◽  
PING SUN ◽  
XIANG R. CHEN
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Protozoa Ciliophora ◽  
Hemicentrotus Pulcherrimus

The morphology and infraciliature of a poorly known endocommensal ciliate, Strombidium rapulum (Yagiu, 1933) Kahl, 1934, isolated from the intestine of the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus Agassiz, was investigated based on observations of specimens from living cells and fixed protargol impregnated cells. An improved diagnosis is given based on previous and current studies: large sized marine Strombidium in vivo 50–130 × 25–65 µm; dorsoventrally slightly flattened; outline ovate and turnip-shaped, tapering posteriorly and terminating in an elongate tail; apical protrusion about 5 µm long in live cells; one elongated macronucleus; girdle kinety equatorial composed of about 57 monokinetids; ventral kinety located subcaudally on right margin, composed of about 5 dikinetids; on average 16 anterior and 29 ventral membranelles.

scholarly journals Visualizing Herpesvirus Procapsids in Living Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (22) ◽  
pp. 10182-10192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oana Maier ◽  
Patricia J. Sollars ◽  
Gary E. Pickard ◽  
Gregory A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Capsid Assembly ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Capsid Shell ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Simplex Virus

ABSTRACTA complete understanding of herpesvirus morphogenesis requires studies of capsid assembly dynamics in living cells. Although fluorescent tags fused to the VP26 and pUL25 capsid proteins are available, neither of these components is present on the initial capsid assembly, the procapsid. To make procapsids accessible to live-cell imaging, we made a series of recombinant pseudorabies viruses that encoded green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused in frame to the internal capsid scaffold and maturation protease. One recombinant, a GFP-VP24 fusion, maintained wild-type propagation kineticsin vitroand approximated wild-type virulencein vivo. The fusion also proved to be well tolerated in herpes simplex virus. Viruses encoding GFP-VP24, along with a traditional capsid reporter fusion (pUL25/mCherry), demonstrated that GFP-VP24 was a reliable capsid marker and revealed that the protein remained capsid associated following entry into cells and upon nuclear docking. These dual-fluorescent viruses made possible the discrimination of procapsids during infection and monitoring of capsid shell maturation kinetics. The results demonstrate the feasibility of imaging herpesvirus procapsids and their morphogenesis in living cells and indicate that the encapsidation machinery does not substantially help coordinate capsid shell maturation.IMPORTANCEThe familyHerpesviridaeconsists of human and veterinary pathogens that cause a wide range of diseases in their respective hosts. These viruses share structurally related icosahedral capsids that encase the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viral genome. The dynamics of capsid assembly and maturation have been inaccessible to examination in living cells. This study has overcome this technical hurdle and provides new insights into this fundamental stage of herpesvirus infection.

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