scholarly journals GAF-CaMP3–sfGFP, An Enhanced Version of the Near-Infrared Genetically Encoded Positive Phytochrome-Based Calcium Indicator for the Visualization of Neuronal Activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 6883
Author(s):  
Oksana M. Subach ◽  
Fedor V. Subach
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Ions ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Confocal Imaging ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Decay Kinetics ◽  
Calcium Indicator

The first generation of near-infrared, genetically encoded calcium indicators (NIR-GECIs) was developed from bacterial phytochrome-based fluorescent proteins that utilize biliverdin (BV) as the chromophore moiety. However, NIR-GECIs have some main drawbacks such as either an inverted response to calcium ions (in the case of NIR-GECO1) or a limited dynamic range and a lack of data about their application in neurons (in the case of GAF-CaMP2–superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP)). Here, we developed an enhanced version of the GAF-CaMP2–sfGFP indicator, named GAF-CaMP3–sfGFP. The GAF-CaMP3–sfGFP demonstrated spectral characteristics, molecular brightness, and a calcium affinity similar to the respective characteristics for its progenitor, but a 2.9-fold larger DF/F response to calcium ions. As compared to GAF-CaMP2–sfGFP, in cultured HeLa cells, GAF-CaMP3–sfGFP had similar brightness but a 1.9-fold larger DF/F response to the elevation of calcium ions levels. Finally, we successfully utilized the GAF-CaMP3–sfGFP for the monitoring of the spontaneous and stimulated activity of neuronal cultures and compared its performance with the R-GECO1 indicator using two-color confocal imaging. In the cultured neurons, GAF-CaMP3–sfGFP showed a linear DF/F response in the range of 0–20 APs and in this range demonstrated a 1.4-fold larger DF/F response but a 1.3- and 2.4-fold slower rise and decay kinetics, respectively, as compared to the same parameters for the R-GECO1 indicator.

scholarly journals Near-Infrared Genetically Encoded Positive Calcium Indicator Based on GAF-FP Bacterial Phytochrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 3488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oksana M. Subach ◽  
Natalia V. Barykina ◽  
Konstantin V. Anokhin ◽  
Kiryl D. Piatkevich ◽  
Fedor V. Subach
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Ions ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Infrared Region ◽  
Calcium Indicator

A variety of genetically encoded calcium indicators are currently available for visualization of calcium dynamics in cultured cells and in vivo. Only one of them, called NIR-GECO1, exhibits fluorescence in the near-infrared region of the spectrum. NIR-GECO1 is engineered based on the near-infrared fluorescent protein mIFP derived from bacterial phytochromes. However, NIR-GECO1 has an inverted response to calcium ions and its excitation spectrum is not optimal for the commonly used 640 nm lasers. Using small near-infrared bacterial phytochrome GAF-FP and calmodulin/M13-peptide pair, we developed a near-infrared calcium indicator called GAF-CaMP2. In vitro, GAF-CaMP2 showed a positive response of 78% and high affinity (Kd of 466 nM) to the calcium ions. It had excitation and emission maxima at 642 and 674 nm, respectively. GAF-CaMP2 had a 2.0-fold lower brightness, 5.5-fold faster maturation and lower pH stability compared to GAF-FP in vitro. GAF-CaMP2 showed 2.9-fold higher photostability than smURFP protein. The GAF-CaMP2 fusion with sfGFP demonstrated a ratiometric response with a dynamic range of 169% when expressed in the cytosol of mammalian cells in culture. Finally, we successfully applied the ratiometric version of GAF-CaMP2 for the simultaneous visualization of calcium transients in three organelles of mammalian cells using four-color fluorescence microscopy.

scholarly journals FRCaMP, a Red Fluorescent Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicator Based on Calmodulin from Schizosaccharomyces Pombe Fungus

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Oksana M. Subach ◽  
Natalia V. Barykina ◽  
Elizaveta S. Chefanova ◽  
Anna V. Vlaskina ◽  
Vladimir P. Sotskov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Calcium Transients ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Decay Kinetics ◽  
Calcium Binding Domain

Red fluorescent genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) have expanded the available pallet of colors used for the visualization of neuronal calcium activity in vivo. However, their calcium-binding domain is restricted by calmodulin from metazoans. In this study, we developed red GECI, called FRCaMP, using calmodulin (CaM) from Schizosaccharomyces pombe fungus as a calcium binding domain. Compared to the R-GECO1 indicator in vitro, the purified protein FRCaMP had similar spectral characteristics, brightness, and pH stability but a 1.3-fold lower ΔF/F calcium response and 2.6-fold tighter calcium affinity with Kd of 441 nM and 2.4–6.6-fold lower photostability. In the cytosol of cultured HeLa cells, FRCaMP visualized calcium transients with a ΔF/F dynamic range of 5.6, which was similar to that of R-GECO1. FRCaMP robustly visualized the spontaneous activity of neuronal cultures and had a similar ΔF/F dynamic range of 1.7 but 2.1-fold faster decay kinetics vs. NCaMP7. On electrically stimulated cultured neurons, FRCaMP demonstrated 1.8-fold faster decay kinetics and 1.7-fold lower ΔF/F values per one action potential of 0.23 compared to the NCaMP7 indicator. The fungus-originating CaM of the FRCaMP indicator version with a deleted M13-like peptide did not interact with the cytosolic environment of the HeLa cells in contrast to the metazoa-originating CaM of the similarly truncated version of the GCaMP6s indicator with a deleted M13-like peptide. Finally, we generated a split version of the FRCaMP indicator, which allowed the simultaneous detection of calcium transients and the heterodimerization of bJun/bFos interacting proteins in the nuclei of HeLa cells with a ΔF/F dynamic range of 9.4 and a contrast of 2.3–3.5, respectively.

scholarly journals FGCaMP7, an Improved Version of Fungi-Based Ratiometric Calcium Indicator for In Vivo Visualization of Neuronal Activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 3012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia V. Barykina ◽  
Vladimir P. Sotskov ◽  
Anna M. Gruzdeva ◽  
You Kure Wu ◽  
Ruben Portugues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Confocal Imaging ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Intracellular Environment

Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) have become a widespread tool for the visualization of neuronal activity. As compared to popular GCaMP GECIs, the FGCaMP indicator benefits from calmodulin and M13-peptide from the fungi Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus, which prevent its interaction with the intracellular environment. However, FGCaMP exhibits a two-phase fluorescence behavior with the variation of calcium ion concentration, has moderate sensitivity in neurons (as compared to the GCaMP6s indicator), and has not been fully characterized in vitro and in vivo. To address these limitations, we developed an enhanced version of FGCaMP, called FGCaMP7. FGCaMP7 preserves the ratiometric phenotype of FGCaMP, with a 3.1-fold larger ratiometric dynamic range in vitro. FGCaMP7 demonstrates 2.7- and 8.7-fold greater photostability compared to mEGFP and mTagBFP2 fluorescent proteins in vitro, respectively. The ratiometric response of FGCaMP7 is 1.6- and 1.4-fold higher, compared to the intensiometric response of GCaMP6s, in non-stimulated and stimulated neuronal cultures, respectively. We reveal the inertness of FGCaMP7 to the intracellular environment of HeLa cells using its truncated version with a deleted M13-like peptide; in contrast to the similarly truncated variant of GCaMP6s. We characterize the crystal structure of the parental FGCaMP indicator. Finally, we test the in vivo performance of FGCaMP7 in mouse brain using a two-photon microscope and an NVista miniscope; and in zebrafish using two-color ratiometric confocal imaging.

scholarly journals iRFP (near-infrared fluorescent protein) imaging of subcutaneous and deep tissue tumours in mice highlights differences between imaging platforms

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Hall ◽  
Y. von Grabowiecki ◽  
S. P. Pearce ◽  
C. Dive ◽  
S. Bagley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Biological Tissues ◽  
The Body ◽  
Nsg Mice ◽  
Infrared Fluorescent Protein

Abstract Background In vivo imaging using fluorescence is used in cancer biology for the detection, measurement and monitoring of tumours. This can be achieved with the expression of fluorescent proteins such as iRFP, which emits light at a wavelength less attenuated in biological tissues compared to light emitted by other fluorescent proteins such as GFP or RFP. Imaging platforms capable of detecting fluorescent tumours in small animals have been developed but studies comparing the performance of these platforms are scarce. Results Through access to three platforms from Xenogen, Bruker and Li-Cor, we compared their ability to detect iRFP-expressing subcutaneous tumours as well as tumours localised deeper within the body of female NSG mice. Each platform was paired with proprietary software for image analyse, but the output depends on subjective decisions from the user. To more objectively compare platforms, we developed an ‘in house’ software-based approach which results in lower measured variability between mice. Conclusions Our comparisons showed that all three platforms allowed for reliable detection and monitoring of subcutaneous iRFP tumour growth. The biggest differences between platforms became apparent when imaging deeper tumours with the Li-Cor platform detecting most tumours and showing the highest dynamic range.

Fluorescent proteins for in vivo imaging, where's the biliverdin?

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 2657-2667
Author(s):  
Felipe Montecinos-Franjola ◽  
John Y. Lin ◽  
Erik A. Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
In Vivo Imaging ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Fluorescent Imaging ◽  
Infrared Light ◽  
Red Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Color Palette

Noninvasive fluorescent imaging requires far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for deeper imaging. Near-infrared light penetrates biological tissue with blood vessels due to low absorbance, scattering, and reflection of light and has a greater signal-to-noise due to less autofluorescence. Far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins absorb light >600 nm to expand the color palette for imaging multiple biosensors and noninvasive in vivo imaging. The ideal fluorescent proteins are bright, photobleach minimally, express well in the desired cells, do not oligomerize, and generate or incorporate exogenous fluorophores efficiently. Coral-derived red fluorescent proteins require oxygen for fluorophore formation and release two hydrogen peroxide molecules. New fluorescent proteins based on phytochrome and phycobiliproteins use biliverdin IXα as fluorophores, do not require oxygen for maturation to image anaerobic organisms and tumor core, and do not generate hydrogen peroxide. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP) was evolved from a cyanobacterial phycobiliprotein to covalently attach biliverdin as an exogenous fluorophore. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein is biophysically as bright as the enhanced green fluorescent protein, is exceptionally photostable, used for biosensor development, and visible in living mice. Novel applications of smURFP include in vitro protein diagnostics with attomolar (10−18 M) sensitivity, encapsulation in viral particles, and fluorescent protein nanoparticles. However, the availability of biliverdin limits the fluorescence of biliverdin-attaching fluorescent proteins; hence, extra biliverdin is needed to enhance brightness. New methods for improved biliverdin bioavailability are necessary to develop improved bright far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for noninvasive imaging in vivo.

scholarly journals Quantitative assessment of near-infrared fluorescent proteins

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiryl Piatkevich ◽  
Hanbin Zhang ◽  
Stavrini Papadaki ◽  
Xiaoting Sun ◽  
Luxia Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Oligomeric State ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
The Right ◽  
Infrared Fluorescent Protein

Abstract Recent progress in fluorescent protein development has generated a large diversity of near-infrared fluorescent proteins, which are rapidly becoming popular probes for a variety of imaging applications. To assist end-users with a selection of the right near-infrared fluorescent protein for a given application, we will conduct a quantitative assessment of intracellular brightness, photostability, and oligomeric state of 19 near-infrared fluorescent proteins in cultured mammalian cells. The top-performing proteins will be further validated for in vivo imaging of neurons in C. elegans, zebrafish, and mice. We will also assess the applicability of the selected NIR FPs for expansion microscopy and two-photon imaging.

scholarly journals Selective Immobilization of Fluorescent Proteins for the Fabrication of Photoactive Materials

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (15) ◽  
pp. 2775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benítez-Mateos ◽  
Mehravar ◽  
Velasco-Lozano ◽  
RadmilaTomovska ◽  
Salassa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Metal Chelates ◽  
Ph Indicator ◽  
Carboxylic Groups ◽  
Photoactive Materials ◽  
Technological Developments

The immobilization of fluorescent proteins is a key technology enabling to fabricate a new generation of photoactive materials with potential technological applications. Herein we have exploited superfolder green (sGFP) and red (RFP) fluorescent proteins expressed with different polypeptide tags. We fused these fluorescent proteins to His-tags to immobilize them on graphene 3D hydrogels, and Cys-tags to immobilize them on porous microparticles activated with either epoxy or disulfide groups and with Lys-tags to immobilize them on upconverting nanoparticles functionalized with carboxylic groups. Genetically programming sGFP and RFP with Cys-tag and His-tag, respectively, allowed tuning the protein spatial organization either across the porous structure of two microbeads with different functional groups (agarose-based materials activated with metal chelates and epoxy-methacrylate materials) or across the surface of a single microbead functionalized with both metal-chelates and disulfide groups. By using different polypeptide tags, we can control the attachment chemistry but also the localization of the fluorescent proteins across the material surfaces. The resulting photoactive material formed by His-RFP immobilized on graphene hydrogels has been tested as pH indicator to measure pH changes in the alkaline region, although the immobilized fluorescent protein exhibited a narrower dynamic range to measure pH than the soluble fluorescent protein. Likewise, the immobilization of Lys-sGFP on alginate-coated upconverting nanoparticles enabled the infrared excitation of the fluorescent protein to be used as a green light emitter. These novel photoactive biomaterials open new avenues for innovative technological developments towards the fabrication of biosensors and photonic devices.

Imaging pancreatic β-cells in the intact pancreas

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (5) ◽  
pp. E1041-E1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manami Hara ◽  
Restituto F. Dizon ◽  
Benjamin S. Glick ◽  
Catherine S. Lee ◽  
Klaus H. Kaestner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Confocal Imaging ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
And Function

We have developed a method to visualize fluorescent protein-labeled β-cells in the intact pancreas through combined reflection and confocal imaging. This method provides a 3-D view of the β-cells in situ. Imaging of the pancreas from mouse insulin I promoter (MIP)-green (GFP) and red fluorescent protein (RFP) transgenic mice shows that islets, β-cell clusters, and single β-cells are not evenly distributed but are aligned along the large blood vessels. We also observe the solitary β-cells in both fetal and adult mice and along the pancreatic and common bile ducts. We have imaged the developing endocrine cells in the embryos using neurogenin-3 (Ngn3)-GFP mice crossed with MIP-RFP mice. The dual-color-coded pancreas from embryos (E15.5) shows a large number of green Ngn3-expressing proendocrine cells with a smaller number of red β-cells. The imaging technique that we have developed, coupled with the transgenic mice in which β-cells and β-cell progenitors are labeled with different fluorescent proteins, will be useful for studying pancreatic development and function in normal and disease states.

scholarly journals A quick and versatile protocol for the 3D visualization of transgene expression across the whole body of larval Drosophila

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Kobler ◽  
Aliće Weiglein ◽  
Kathrin Hartung ◽  
Yi-chun Chen ◽  
Bertram Gerber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
3D Visualization ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Handling Time ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Larval Body

AbstractLarval Drosophila are used as a genetically accessible study case in many areas of biological research. Here we report a fast, robust and user-friendly procedure for the whole-body multifluorescence imaging of Drosophila larvae; the protocol has been optimized specifically for larvae by systematically tackling the pitfalls associated with clearing this small but cuticularized organism. Tests on various fluorescent proteins reveal that the recently introduced monomeric infrared fluorescent protein (mIFP) is particularly suitable for our approach. This approach comprises an effective, low-cost clearing protocol with minimal handling time and reduced toxicity in the reagents employed. It combines a success rate high enough to allow for small-scale screening approaches and a resolution sufficient for cellular-resolution analyses with light sheet and confocal microscopy. Given that publications and database documentations typically specify expression patterns of transgenic driver lines only within a given organ system of interest, the present procedure should be versatile enough to extend such documentation systematically to the whole body. As examples, the expression patterns of transgenic driver lines covering the majority of neurons, or subsets of chemosensory, central brain or motor neurons, are documented in the context of whole larval body volumes (using nsyb-Gal4, IR76b-Gal4, APL-Gal4 and mushroom body Kenyon cells, or OK371-Gal4, respectively). Notably, the presented protocol allows for triple-color fluorescence imaging with near-infrared, red and yellow fluorescent proteins.

scholarly journals Circularly Permuted Fluorescent Protein-Based Indicators: History, Principles, and Classification

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander I. Kostyuk ◽  
Aleksandra D. Demidovich ◽  
Daria A. Kotova ◽  
Vsevolod V. Belousov ◽  
Dmitry S. Bilan
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Complete Classification ◽  
Ligand Interaction ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
History Of ◽  
Flexible Region ◽  
Extensive Class

Genetically encoded biosensors based on fluorescent proteins (FPs) are a reliable tool for studying the various biological processes in living systems. The circular permutation of single FPs led to the development of an extensive class of biosensors that allow the monitoring of many intracellular events. In circularly permuted FPs (cpFPs), the original N- and C-termini are fused using a peptide linker, while new termini are formed near the chromophore. Such a structure imparts greater mobility to the FP than that of the native variant, allowing greater lability of the spectral characteristics. One of the common principles of creating genetically encoded biosensors is based on the integration of a cpFP into a flexible region of a sensory domain or between two interacting domains, which are selected according to certain characteristics. Conformational rearrangements of the sensory domain associated with ligand interaction or changes in the cellular parameter are transferred to the cpFP, changing the chromophore environment. In this review, we highlight the basic principles of such sensors, the history of their creation, and a complete classification of the available biosensors.

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