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Grothe T, Nowak J, Jahn R, Walla PJ. Selected tools to visualize membrane interactions. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL : EBJ 2021; 50:211-222. [PMID: 33787948 PMCID: PMC8071796 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-021-01516-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, we developed various fluorescence-based methods for monitoring membrane fusion, membrane docking, distances between membranes, and membrane curvature. These tools were mainly developed using liposomes as model systems, which allows for the dissection of specific interactions mediated by, for example, fusion proteins. Here, we provide an overview of these methods, including two-photon fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy and intramembrane Förster energy transfer, with asymmetric labelling of inner and outer membrane leaflets and the calibrated use of transmembrane energy transfer to determine membrane distances below 10 nm. We discuss their application range and their limitations using examples from our work on protein-mediated vesicle docking and fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Grothe
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Braunschweig, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Julia Nowak
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Braunschweig, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Reinhard Jahn
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Jomo Walla
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Braunschweig, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany.
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Ng XW, Sampath K, Wohland T. Fluorescence Correlation and Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy in Zebrafish. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1863:67-105. [PMID: 30324593 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8772-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
There has been increasing interest in biophysical studies on live organisms to gain better insights into physiologically relevant biological events at the molecular level. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a viable vertebrate model to study such events due to its genetic and evolutionary similarities to humans, amenability to less invasive fluorescence techniques owing to its transparency and well-characterized genetic manipulation techniques. Fluorescence techniques used to probe biomolecular dynamics and interactions of molecules in live zebrafish embryos are therefore highly sought-after to bridge molecular and developmental events. Fluorescence correlation and cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCS and FCCS) are two robust techniques that provide molecular level information on dynamics and interactions respectively. Here, we detail the steps for applying confocal FCS and FCCS, in particular single-wavelength FCCS (SW-FCCS), in live zebrafish embryos, beginning with sample preparation, instrumentation, calibration, and measurements on the FCS/FCCS instrument and ending with data analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wen Ng
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Bioimaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Karuna Sampath
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Thorsten Wohland
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Bioimaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Abstract
Biological research has always tremendously benefited from the development of key methodology. In fact, it was the advent of microscopy that shaped our understanding of cells as the fundamental units of life. Microscopic techniques are still central to the elucidation of biological units and processes, but equally important are methods that allow access to the dimension of time, to investigate the dynamics of molecular functions and interactions. Here, fluorescence spectroscopy with its sensitivity to access the single-molecule level, and its large temporal resolution, has been opening up fully new perspectives for cell biology. Here we summarize the key fluorescent techniques used to study cellular dynamics, with the focus on lipid and membrane systems.
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Štefl M, Macháň R, Hof M. Z-Scan Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy: A Powerful Tool for Determination of Lateral Diffusion in Biological Systems. REVIEWS IN FLUORESCENCE 2009 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-9672-5_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Macháň R, Hof M. Lipid diffusion in planar membranes investigated by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2010; 1798:1377-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2010.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2009] [Revised: 02/10/2010] [Accepted: 02/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Sanabria H, Waxham MN. Transient anomalous subdiffusion: effects of specific and nonspecific probe binding with actin gels. J Phys Chem B 2010; 114:959-72. [PMID: 20038146 DOI: 10.1021/jp9072153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
When signaling molecules diffuse through the cytosol, they encounter a wide variety of obstacles that hinder their mobility in space and time. Some of those factors include, but are not limited to, interactions with mobile and immobile targets or obstacles. Besides finding a crowded environment inside the cell, macromolecules assemble into molecular complexes that drive specific biological functions adding additional complexity to their diffusion. Thus, simple models of diffusion often fail to explain mobility through the cell interior, and new approaches are needed. Here we used fluorescent correlation spectroscopy to measure diffusion of three molecules of similar size with different surface properties diffusing in actin gels. The fluorescent probes were (a) quantum dots, (b) yellow-green fluorescent spheres, and (c) the beta isoform of Ca(2+) calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II tagged with green fluorescent protein. We compared various models for fitting the autocorrelation function (ACF) including single component, two-component, and anomalous diffusion. The two-component and anomalous diffusion models were superior and were largely indistinguishable based on a goodness of fit criteria. To better resolve differences between these two models, we modified the ACF to observe temporal variations in diffusion. We found in both simulated and experimental data a transient anomalous subdiffusion between two freely diffusing regimes produced by binding interactions of the diffusive tracers with actin gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Sanabria
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, 6431 Fannin Street, MSB 7.254, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Macháň R, Hof M. Recent developments in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy for diffusion measurements in planar lipid membranes. Int J Mol Sci 2010; 11:427-457. [PMID: 20386647 PMCID: PMC2852847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms11020427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2009] [Revised: 01/11/2010] [Accepted: 01/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a single molecule technique used mainly for determination of mobility and local concentration of molecules. This review describes the specific problems of FCS in planar systems and reviews the state of the art experimental approaches such as 2-focus, Z-scan or scanning FCS, which overcome most of the artefacts and limitations of standard FCS. We focus on diffusion measurements of lipids and proteins in planar lipid membranes and review the contributions of FCS to elucidating membrane dynamics and the factors influencing it, such as membrane composition, ionic strength, presence of membrane proteins or frictional coupling with solid support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radek Macháň
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of ASCR, v.v.i., Dolejškova 2155/3, 182 23 Prague, Czech Republic; E-Mail:
| | - Martin Hof
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of ASCR, v.v.i., Dolejškova 2155/3, 182 23 Prague, Czech Republic; E-Mail:
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Discrimination between docking and fusion of liposomes reconstituted with neuronal SNARE-proteins using FCS. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009; 106:18575-80. [PMID: 19843696 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0906677106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal exocytosis is mediated by the SNARE proteins synaptobrevin 2/VAMP, syntaxin 1A, and SNAP-25A. While it is well-established that these proteins mediate membrane fusion after reconstitution in artificial membranes, it has so far been difficult to monitor intermediate stages of the reaction. Using a confocal two-photon setup, we applied fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) and fluorescence lifetime analysis to discriminate between docking and fusion of liposomes. We show that liposome populations that are either non-interacting, or are undergoing docking and fusion, as well as multiple interactions can be quantitatively discriminated without the need for immobilizing the lipid bilayers. When liposomes containing a stabilized syntaxin 1A/SNAP-25A complex were mixed with liposomes containing synaptobrevin 2, we observed that rapid docking precedes fusion. Accordingly, docked intermediates accumulated in the initial phase of the reaction. Furthermore, rapid formation of multiple docked states was observed with on average four liposomes interacting with each other. When liposomes of different sizes were compared, only the rate of lipid mixing depended on the liposome size but not the rate of docking. Our results show that under appropriate conditions a docked state, mediated by trans-SNARE interactions, can be isolated that constitutes an intermediate in the fusion pathway.
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Sanabria H, Swulius MT, Kolodziej SJ, Liu J, Waxham MN. {beta}CaMKII regulates actin assembly and structure. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:9770-80. [PMID: 19208632 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m809518200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca(2+)-Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is an abundant synaptic protein that was recently shown to regulate the organization of actin filaments leading to structural modifications of synapses. CaMKII is a dodecameric complex with a special architecture that provides it with unique potential for organizing the actin cytoskeleton. We report using biochemical assays that the beta isoform of CaMKII binds to and bundles actin filaments, and the disposition of betaCaMKII within the actin bundles was revealed by cryoelectron tomography. In addition, betaCaMKII was found to inhibit actin polymerization, suggesting that it either serves as a capping protein or binds monomeric actin, reducing the amount of freely available monomers to nucleate polymer assembly. By means of fluorescent cross-correlation spectroscopy, we determined that betaCaMKII does indeed bind to monomeric actin, reaching saturation at a stoichiometry of 12:1 actin monomers per betaCaMKII holoenzyme with a binding constant of 2.4 x 10(5) m(-1). In cells, betaCaMKII has a dual functional role; it can sequester monomeric actin to reduce actin polymerization and can also bundle actin filaments. Together, these effects would impact both the dynamics of actin filament assembly and enhance the rigidity of the filaments once formed, significantly impacting the structure of synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Sanabria
- Departments of Neurobiology and Anatomy and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Wang Y, Tai OYH, Wang CH, Jen AKY. One-, two-, and three-photon absorption induced fluorescence of a novel chromophore in chloroform solution. J Chem Phys 2004; 121:7901-7. [PMID: 15485252 DOI: 10.1063/1.1791092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
One-, two-, and three-photon absorption induced fluorescence intensities of a novel nonlinear optical chromophore have been measured by using a tunable femtosecond pulsed laser as the excitation. Four resonance peaks are observed as the excitation wavelength is tuned from 600 to 2000 nm. These peaks correspond to the one-, two- and three-photon fluorescence resonance. Except for intensity difference, the lifetime and the fluorescence spectrum are found to be the same for the one-, two-, or three-photon resonance, hence suggesting that the same excited energy level is involved in emitting the fluorescence intensity. A three-level model is developed to account for the incident excitation laser intensity dependence of the one-photon and multiphoton fluorescence intensity. The model allows the multiphoton absorption cross sections to be extracted; it can also account for the deviation observed in the linear, square, and cubic intensity dependence of the one-, two-, and three-photon fluorescence intensity, respectively. To determine the absorption cross sections, the present method does not require the fluorescence quantum efficiency data, needed in the low intensity technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiao Wang
- Center of Organic Materials for Advanced Technology and Department of Physics, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 80424, Taiwan
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Eggeling C, Brand L, Ullmann D, Jäger S. Highly sensitive fluorescence detection technology currently available for HTS. Drug Discov Today 2003; 8:632-41. [PMID: 12867149 DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6446(03)02752-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Homogeneous fluorescence methods are providing an important tool for HTS technologies. A wide range of different techniques have been established on the market, with read-outs ranging from total fluorescence intensity to statistical analysis of fluorescence fluctuations for biochemical assays or fluorescence imaging techniques for cellular systems. Each method has its own advantages and limitations, which have to be accounted for when designing a specific assay. Here, recently developed fluorescence techniques and some of their applications, with a particular focus on sensitivity, are summarized and their principles are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Eggeling
- Evotec OAI / Evotec Technologies, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
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Haustein E, Schwille P. Ultrasensitive investigations of biological systems by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Methods 2003; 29:153-66. [PMID: 12606221 DOI: 10.1016/s1046-2023(02)00306-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) extracts information about molecular dynamics from the tiny fluctuations that can be observed in the emission of small ensembles of fluorescent molecules in thermodynamic equilibrium. Employing a confocal setup in conjunction with highly dilute samples, the average number of fluorescent particles simultaneously within the measurement volume (approximately 1 fl) is minimized. Among the multitude of chemical and physical parameters accessible by FCS are local concentrations, mobility coefficients, rate constants for association and dissociation processes, and even enzyme kinetics. As any reaction causing an alteration of the primary measurement parameters such as fluorescence brightness or mobility can be monitored, the application of this noninvasive method to unravel processes in living cells is straightforward. Due to the high spatial resolution of less than 0.5 microm, selective measurements in cellular compartments, e.g., to probe receptor-ligand interactions on cell membranes, are feasible. Moreover, the observation of local molecular dynamics provides access to environmental parameters such as local oxygen concentrations, pH, or viscosity. Thus, this versatile technique is of particular attractiveness for researchers striving for quantitative assessment of interactions and dynamics of small molecular quantities in biologically relevant systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Haustein
- Experimentelle Biophysik, Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
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Heinze KG, Rarbach M, Jahnz M, Schwille P. Two-photon fluorescence coincidence analysis: rapid measurements of enzyme kinetics. Biophys J 2002; 83:1671-81. [PMID: 12202390 PMCID: PMC1302263 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3495(02)73935-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Dual-color fluorescence cross-correlation analysis is a powerful tool for probing interactions of different fluorescently labeled molecules in aqueous solution. The concept is the selective observation of coordinated spontaneous fluctuations in two separate detection channels that unambiguously reflect the existence of physical or chemical linkages among the different fluorescent species. It has previously been shown that the evaluation of cross-correlation amplitudes, i.e., coincidence factors, is sufficient to extract essential information about the kinetics of formation or cleavage of chemical or physical bonds. Confocal fluorescence coincidence analysis (CFCA) (Winkler et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96:1375-1378, 1999) emphasizes short analysis times and simplified data evaluation and is thus particularly useful for screening applications or measurements on live cells where small illumination doses need to be applied. The recent use of two-photon fluorescence excitation has simplified dual- or multicolor measurements by enabling the simultaneous excitation of largely different dye molecules by a single infra-red laser line (Heinze et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97:10377-10382, 2000). It is demonstrated here that a combination of CFCA with two-photon excitation allows for minimization of analysis times for multicomponent systems down to some hundreds of milliseconds, while preserving all known advantages of two-photon excitation. By introducing crucial measurement parameters, experimental limits for the reduction of sampling times are discussed for the special case of distinguishing positive from negative samples in an endonucleolytic cleavage assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin G Heinze
- Experimental Biophysics Group, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
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Amediek A, Haustein E, Scherfeld D, Schwille P. Scanning Dual-Color Cross-Correlation Analysis for Dynamic Co-Localization Studies of Immobile Molecules. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2002. [DOI: 10.1002/1438-5171(200208)3:4<201::aid-simo201>3.0.co;2-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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15
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Medina MA, Schwille P. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy for the detection and study of single molecules in biology. Bioessays 2002; 24:758-64. [PMID: 12210537 DOI: 10.1002/bies.10118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The recent development of single molecule detection techniques has opened new horizons for the study of individual macromolecules under physiological conditions. Conformational subpopulations, internal dynamics and activity of single biomolecules, parameters that have so far been hidden in large ensemble averages, are now being unveiled. Herein, we review a particular attractive solution-based single molecule technique, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). This time-averaging fluctuation analysis which is usually performed in Confocal setups combines maximum sensitivity with high statistical confidence. FCS has proven to be a very versatile and powerful tool for detection and temporal investigation of biomolecules at ultralow concentrations on surfaces, in solution, and in living cells. The introduction of dual-color cross-correlation and two-photon excitation in FCS experiments is currently increasing the number of promising applications of FCS to biological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Angel Medina
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hellerer
- Department Chemie, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Butenandtstrasse 11, 81377 München, Germany
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