Hybrid voltage sensor imaging of electrical activity from neurons in hippocampal slices from transgenic mice

A dark quencher genetically encodable voltage indicator (dqGEVI) exhibits high fidelity and speed

Voltage sensing with genetically expressed optical probes is highly desirable for large-scale recordings of neuronal activity and detection of localized voltage signals in single neurons. Here we describe a method for a two-component (hybrid) genetically encodable fluorescent voltage sensing in neurons. The approach uses a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-tagged fluorescent protein (enhanced green fluorescent protein) that ensures the fluorescence to be specifically confined to the outside of the plasma membrane and D3, a voltage-dependent quencher. Previous hybrid genetically encoded voltage sensing approaches relied on a single quenching molecule, dipycrilamine (DPA), which is toxic, increases membrane capacitance, interferes with neurotransmitters, and is explosive. Our method uses a nontoxic and nonexplosive compound that performs better than DPA in all aspects of fluorescent voltage sensing.

Voltage sensing with genetically expressed optical probes is highly desirable for large-scale recordings of neuronal activity and detection of localized voltage signals in single neurons. Most genetically encodable voltage indicators (GEVI) have drawbacks including slow response, low fluorescence, or excessive bleaching. Here we present a dark quencher GEVI approach (dqGEVI) using a Förster resonance energy transfer pair between a fluorophore glycosylphosphatidylinositol–enhanced green fluorescent protein (GPI-eGFP) on the outer surface of the neuronal membrane and an azo-benzene dye quencher (D3) that rapidly moves in the membrane driven by voltage. In contrast to previous probes, the sensor has a single photon bleaching time constant of ∼40 min, has a high temporal resolution and fidelity for detecting action potential firing at 100 Hz, resolves membrane de- and hyperpolarizations of a few millivolts, and has negligible effects on passive membrane properties or synaptic events. The dqGEVI approach should be a valuable tool for optical recordings of subcellular or population membrane potential changes in nerve cells.

Electrophysiology Read-Out Tools for Brain-on-Chip Biotechnology

Brain-on-Chip (BoC) biotechnology is emerging as a promising tool for biomedical and pharmaceutical research applied to the neurosciences. At the convergence between lab-on-chip and cell biology, BoC couples in vitro three-dimensional brain-like systems to an engineered microfluidics platform designed to provide an in vivo-like extrinsic microenvironment with the aim of replicating tissue- or organ-level physiological functions. BoC therefore offers the advantage of an in vitro reproduction of brain structures that is more faithful to the native correlate than what is obtained with conventional cell culture techniques. As brain function ultimately results in the generation of electrical signals, electrophysiology techniques are paramount for studying brain activity in health and disease. However, as BoC is still in its infancy, the availability of combined BoC-electrophysiology platforms is still limited. Here, we summarize the available biological substrates for BoC, starting with a historical perspective. We then describe the available tools enabling BoC electrophysiology studies, detailing their fabrication process and technical features, along with their advantages and limitations. We discuss the current and future applications of BoC electrophysiology, also expanding to complementary approaches. We conclude with an evaluation of the potential translational applications and prospective technology developments.

Recent Progress of Hybrid Optical Probes for Neural Membrane Potential Imaging

The neural membrane potential of nerve cells is the basis of neural activity production, which controls advanced brain activities such as memory, emotion, and learning. In the past decades, optical voltage indicator has emerged as a promising tool to decode neural activities with high-fidelity and excellent spatiotemporal resolution. In particular, the hybrid optical probes can combine the advantageous photophysical properties of different components such as voltage-sensitive molecules, highly fluorescent fluorophores, membrane-targeting tags, and optogenetic materials, thus showing numerous advantages in improving the photoluminescence intensity, voltage sensitivity, photostability, and cell specificity of probes. In this review, the current state-of-the-art hybrid probes are highlighted, that are designed by using fluorescent proteins, organic dyes, and fluorescent nanoprobes as the fluorophores, respectively. Then, the design strategies, voltage-sensing mechanisms and the in vitro and in vivo neural activity imaging applications of the hybrid probes are summarized. Finally, based on the current achievements of voltage imaging studies, the challenges and prospects for design and application of hybrid optical probes in the future are presented.

Genetically Encoded Tools for Research of Cell Signaling and Metabolism under Brain Hypoxia

Hypoxia is characterized by low oxygen content in the tissues. The central nervous system (CNS) is highly vulnerable to a lack of oxygen. Prolonged hypoxia leads to the death of brain cells, which underlies the development of many pathological conditions. Despite the relevance of the topic, different approaches used to study the molecular mechanisms of hypoxia have many limitations. One promising lead is the use of various genetically encoded tools that allow for the observation of intracellular parameters in living systems. In the first part of this review, we provide the classification of oxygen/hypoxia reporters as well as describe other genetically encoded reporters for various metabolic and redox parameters that could be implemented in hypoxia studies. In the second part, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the primary hypoxia model systems and highlight inspiring examples of research in which these experimental settings were combined with genetically encoded reporters.

Optical Studies of Action Potential Dynamics with hVOS probes

The detection of action potentials and the characterization of their waveform represent basic benchmarks for evaluating optical sensors of voltage. The effectiveness of a voltage sensor in reporting action potentials will determine its usefulness in voltage imaging experiments designed for the study of neural circuitry. The hybrid voltage sensor (hVOS) technique is based on a sensing mechanism with a rapid response to voltage changes. hVOS imaging is thus well suited for optical studies of action potentials. This technique detects action potentials in intact brain slices with an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. These optical action potentials recapitulate voltage recordings with high temporal fidelity. In different genetically-defined types of neurons targeted by cre-lox technology, hVOS recordings of action potentials recapitulate the expected differences in duration. Furthermore, by targeting an hVOS probe to axons, imaging experiments can follow action potential propagation and document dynamic changes in waveform resulting from use-dependent plasticity.

Tethered Bichromophoric Fluorophore Quencher Voltage Sensitive Dyes

Voltage sensitive dyes (VSDs) are used for in vitro drug screening and for imaging of patterns of electrical activity in tissue. Wide application of this technology depends on the availability of sensors with high sensitivity (percent change of fluorescence per 100 mV), high fluorescence quantum yield, and fast response kinetics. A promising approach uses a two-component system consisting of anionic membrane permeable quenchers with fluorophores labeling one side of the membrane; this produces voltage-dependent fluorescence quenching. However, the quencher must be kept at low concentrations to minimize pharmacological effects, thus limiting sensitivity. By developing tethered bichromophoric fluorophore quencher (TBFQ) dyes, where the fluorophore and quencher are covalently connected by a long hydrophobic chain, the sensitivity is maximized and is independent of VSD concentration. A series of 13 TBFQ dyes based on the aminonaphthylethenylpyridinium (ANEP) fluorophore and the dipicrylamine anion (DPA) quencher have been synthesized and tested in an artificial lipid bilayer apparatus. The best of these, TBFQ1, shows a 2.5-fold change in fluorescence per 100 mV change in membrane potential, and the response kinetics is in the 10-20 ms range. This sensitivity is an order of magnitude better than that of commonly used VSDs. However, the fluorescence quantum yield is only 1.6%, which may make this first generation of TBFQ VSDs impractical for in vivo electrical imaging. Nevertheless, the design principles established here can serve as foundation for improved TBFQ VSDs. We believe this approach promises to greatly enhance our ability to monitor electrical activity in cells and tissues.

Mapping of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials of neuronal populations in hippocampal slices using the GEVI, ArcLight

To understand the circuitry of the brain, it is essential to clarify the functional connectivity among distinct neuronal populations. For this purpose, neuronal activity imaging using genetically-encoded calcium sensors such as GCaMP has been a powerful approach due to its cell-type specificity. However, calcium (Ca²⁺) is an indirect measure of neuronal activity. A more direct approach would be to use genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) to observe subthreshold, synaptic activities. The GEVI, ArcLight, which exhibits large fluorescence transients in response to voltage, was expressed in excitatory neurons of the mouse CA1 hippocampus. Fluorescent signals in response to the electrical stimulation of the Schaffer collateral axons were observed in brain slice preparations. ArcLight was able to map both excitatory and inhibitory inputs projected to excitatory neurons. In contrast, the Ca²⁺ signal detected by GCaMP6f, was only associated with excitatory inputs. ArcLight and similar voltage sensing probes are also becoming powerful paradigms for functional connectivity mapping of brain circuitry.

Beyond Fluorescent Proteins: Hybrid and Bioluminescent Indicators for Imaging Neural Activities

Optical biosensors have been invaluable tools in neuroscience research, as they provide the ability to directly visualize neural activity in real time, with high specificity, and with exceptional spatial and temporal resolution. Notably, a majority of these sensors are based on fluorescent protein scaffolds, which offer the ability to target specific cell types or even subcellular compartments. However, fluorescent proteins are intrinsically bulky tags, often insensitive to the environment, and always require excitation light illumination. To address these limitations, there has been a proliferation of alternative sensor scaffolds developed in recent years, including hybrid sensors that combine the advantages of synthetic fluorophores and genetically encoded protein tags, as well as bioluminescent probes. While still in their early stage of development as compared with fluorescent protein-based sensors, these novel probes have offered complementary solutions to interrogate various aspects of neuronal communication, including transmitter release, changes in membrane potential, and the production of second messengers. In this Review, we discuss these important new developments with a particular focus on design strategies.

Tracking individual action potentials throughout mammalian axonal arbors

Axons are neuronal processes specialized for conduction of action potentials (APs). The timing and temporal precision of APs when they reach each of the synapses are fundamentally important for information processing in the brain. Due to small diameters of axons, direct recording of single AP transmission is challenging. Consequently, most knowledge about axonal conductance derives from modeling studies or indirect measurements. We demonstrate a method to noninvasively and directly record individual APs propagating along millimeter-length axonal arbors in cortical cultures with hundreds of microelectrodes at microsecond temporal resolution. We find that cortical axons conduct single APs with high temporal precision (~100 µs arrival time jitter per mm length) and reliability: in more than 8,000,000 recorded APs, we did not observe any conduction or branch-point failures. Upon high-frequency stimulation at 100 Hz, successive became slower, and their arrival time precision decreased by 20% and 12% for the 100th AP, respectively.

Toward Better Genetically Encoded Sensors of Membrane Potential

Genetically encoded optical sensors of cell activity are powerful tools that can be targeted to specific cell types. This is especially important in neuroscience because individual brain regions can include a multitude of different cell types. Optical imaging allows for simultaneous recording from numerous neurons or brain regions. Optical signals of membrane potential are useful because membrane potential changes are a direct sign of both synaptic and action potentials. Here we describe recent improvements in the in vitro and in vivo signal size and kinetics of genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) and discuss their relationship to alternative sensors of neural activity.

Action Potential Dynamics in Fine Axons Probed with an Axonally Targeted Optical Voltage Sensor

The complex and malleable conduction properties of axons determine how action potentials propagate through extensive axonal arbors to reach synaptic terminals. The excitability of axonal membranes plays a major role in neural circuit function, but because most axons are too thin for conventional electrical recording, their properties remain largely unexplored. To overcome this obstacle, we used a genetically encoded hybrid voltage sensor (hVOS) harboring an axonal targeting motif. Expressing this probe in transgenic mice enabled us to monitor voltage changes optically in two populations of axons in hippocampal slices, the large axons of dentate granule cells (mossy fibers) in the stratum lucidum of the CA3 region and the much finer axons of hilar mossy cells in the inner molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. Action potentials propagated with distinct velocities in each type of axon. Repetitive firing broadened action potentials in both populations, but at an intermediate frequency the degree of broadening differed. Repetitive firing also attenuated action potential amplitudes in both mossy cell and granule cell axons. These results indicate that the features of use-dependent action potential broadening, and possible failure, observed previously in large nerve terminals also appear in much finer unmyelinated axons. Subtle differences in the frequency dependences could influence the propagation of activity through different pathways to excite different populations of neurons. The axonally targeted hVOS probe used here opens up the diverse repertoire of neuronal processes to detailed biophysical study.

Design Rules for Membrane-Embedded Voltage-Sensing Nanoparticles

Voltage-sensing dyes and voltage-sensing fluorescence proteins have been continually improved and as a result have provided a wealth of insights into neuronal circuits. Further improvements in voltage-sensing dyes and voltage-sensing fluorescence proteins are needed, however, for routine detection of single action potentials across a large number of individual neurons in a large field-of-view of a live mammalian brain. On the other hand, recent experiments and calculations suggest that semiconducting nanoparticles could act as efficient voltage sensors, suitable for the above-mentioned task. This study presents quantum mechanical calculations, including Auger recombination rates, of the quantum-confined Stark effect in membrane-embedded semiconducting nanoparticles, examines their possible utility as membrane voltage sensors, and provide design rules for their structure and composition.

Optogenetic Monitoring of Synaptic Activity with Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators

The age of genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) has matured to the point that changes in membrane potential can now be observed optically in vivo. Improving the signal size and speed of these voltage sensors has been the primary driving forces during this maturation process. As a result, there is a wide range of probes using different voltage detecting mechanisms and fluorescent reporters. As the use of these probes transitions from optically reporting membrane potential in single, cultured cells to imaging populations of cells in slice and/or in vivo, a new challenge emerges—optically resolving the different types of neuronal activity. While improvements in speed and signal size are still needed, optimizing the voltage range and the subcellular expression (i.e., soma only) of the probe are becoming more important. In this review, we will examine the ability of recently developed probes to report synaptic activity in slice and in vivo. The voltage-sensing fluorescent protein (VSFP) family of voltage sensors, ArcLight, ASAP-1, and the rhodopsin family of probes are all good at reporting changes in membrane potential, but all have difficulty distinguishing subthreshold depolarizations from action potentials and detecting neuronal inhibition when imaging populations of cells. Finally, we will offer a few possible ways to improve the optical resolution of the various types of neuronal activities.

Imaging Membrane Potential with Two Types of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Voltage Sensors

Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) have improved to the point where they are beginning to be useful for in vivo recordings. While the ultimate goal is to image neuronal activity in vivo, one must be able to image activity of a single cell to ensure successful in vivo preparations. This procedure will describe how to image membrane potential in a single cell to provide a foundation to eventually image in vivo. Here we describe methods for imaging GEVIs consisting of a voltage-sensing domain fused to either a single fluorescent protein (FP) or two fluorescent proteins capable of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) in vitro. Using an image splitter enables the projection of images created by two different wavelengths onto the same charge-coupled device (CCD) camera simultaneously. The image splitter positions a second filter cube in the light path. This second filter cube consists of a dichroic and two emission filters to separate the donor and acceptor fluorescent wavelengths depending on the FPs of the GEVI. This setup enables the simultaneous recording of both the acceptor and donor fluorescent partners while the membrane potential is manipulated via whole cell patch clamp configuration. When using a GEVI consisting of a single FP, the second filter cube can be removed allowing the mirrors in the image splitter to project a single image onto the CCD camera.

Genetically Encoded Protein Sensors of Membrane Potential

Organic voltage-sensitive dyes offer very high spatial and temporal resolution for imaging neuronal function. However these dyes suffer from the drawbacks of non-specificity of cell staining and low accessibility of the dye to some cell types. Further progress in imaging activity is expected from the development of genetically encoded fluorescent sensors of membrane potential. Cell type specificity of expression of these fluorescent protein (FP) voltage sensors can be obtained via several different mechanisms. One is cell type specificity of infection by individual virus subtypes. A second mechanism is specificity of promoter expression in individual cell types. A third, depends on the offspring of transgenic animals with cell type specific expression of cre recombinase mated with an animal that has the DNA for the FP voltage sensor in all of its cells but its expression is dependent on the recombinase activity. Challenges remain. First, the response time constants of many of the new FP voltage sensors are slower (2-10 ms) than those of organic dyes. This results in a relatively small fractional fluorescence change, ΔF/F, for action potentials. Second, the largest signal presently available is only ~40% for a 100 mV depolarization and many of the new probes have signals that are substantially smaller. Large signals are especially important when attempting to detect fast events because the shorter measurement interval results in a relatively small number of detected photons and therefore a relatively large shot noise (see Chap. 1). Another kind of challenge has occurred when attempts were made to transition from one species to another or from one cell type to another or from cell culture to in vivo measurements.Several laboratories have recently described a number of novel FP voltage sensors. Here we attempt to critically review the current status of these developments in terms of signal size, time course, and in vivo function.

A Small-Molecule Photoactivatable Optical Sensor of Transmembrane Potential

This paper discloses the design, synthesis, and imaging applications of the first member of a new class of SPOTs, small-molecule photoactivatable optical sensors of transmembrane potential. SPOT2.1.Cl features an established voltage-sensitive dye, VoltageFluor2.1.Cl--or VF--capped with a dimethoxy-o-nitrobenzyl (DMNB) caging group to effectively diminish fluorescence of the VF dye prior to uncaging. SPOT2.1.Cl localizes to cell membranes and displays weak fluorescence until photoactivated. Illumination generates the parent VF dye which then optically reports on changes in the membrane voltage. After photoactivation with spatially restricted light, SPOT2.1.Cl-loaded cells display bright, voltage-sensitive fluorescence associated with the plasma membrane, while neighboring cells remain dark. Activated SPOT reports on action potentials in single trials. SPOT can be activated in neuron cell bodies or uncaged in dendrites to enable structural tracing via "backfilling" of the dye to the soma, followed by functional imaging in the labeled cell. The combination of cellular specificity achieved through spatially defined patterns of illumination, coupled with the fast, sensitive, and noncapacitive voltage sensing characteristics of VF dyes makes SPOT2.1.Cl a useful tool for interrogating both structure and function of neuronal systems.

Neural activity propagation in an unfolded hippocampal preparation with a penetrating micro-electrode array

This protocol describes a method for preparing a new in vitro flat hippocampus preparation combined with a micro-machined array to map neural activity in the hippocampus. The transverse hippocampal slice preparation is the most common tissue preparation to study hippocampus electrophysiology. A longitudinal hippocampal slice was also developed in order to investigate longitudinal connections in the hippocampus. The intact mouse hippocampus can also be maintained in vitro because its thickness allows adequate oxygen diffusion. However, these three preparations do not provide direct access to neural propagation since some of the tissue is either missing or folded. The unfolded intact hippocampus provides both transverse and longitudinal connections in a flat configuration for direct access to the tissue to analyze the full extent of signal propagation in the hippocampus in vitro. In order to effectively monitor the neural activity from the cell layer, a custom made penetrating micro-electrode array (PMEA) was fabricated and applied to the unfolded hippocampus. The PMEA with 64 electrodes of 200 µm in height could record neural activity deep inside the mouse hippocampus. The unique combination of an unfolded hippocampal preparation and the PMEA provides a new in-vitro tool to study the speed and direction of propagation of neural activity in the two-dimensional CA1-CA3 regions of the hippocampus with a high signal to noise ratio.

Combinatorial mutagenesis of the voltage-sensing domain enables the optical resolution of action potentials firing at 60 Hz by a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor of membrane potential

ArcLight is a genetically encoded fluorescent voltage sensor using the voltage-sensing domain of the voltage-sensing phosphatase from Ciona intestinalis that gives a large but slow-responding optical signal in response to changes in membrane potential (Jin et al., 2012). Fluorescent voltage sensors using the voltage-sensing domain from other species give faster yet weaker optical signals (Baker et al., 2012; Han et al., 2013). Sequence alignment of voltage-sensing phosphatases from different species revealed conserved polar and charged residues at 7 aa intervals in the S1-S3 transmembrane segments of the voltage-sensing domain, suggesting potential coil-coil interactions. The contribution of these residues to the voltage-induced optical signal was tested using a cassette mutagenesis screen by flanking each transmembrane segment with unique restriction sites to allow for the testing of individual mutations in each transmembrane segment, as well as combinations in all four transmembrane segments. Addition of a counter charge in S2 improved the kinetics of the optical response. A double mutation in the S4 domain dramatically reduced the slow component of the optical signal seen in ArcLight. Combining that double S4 mutant with the mutation in the S2 domain yielded a probe with kinetics <10 ms. Optimization of the linker sequence between S4 and the fluorescent protein resulted in a new ArcLight-derived probe, Bongwoori, capable of resolving action potentials in a hippocampal neuron firing at 60 Hz. Additional manipulation of the voltage-sensing domain could potentially lead to fluorescent sensors capable of optically resolving neuronal inhibition and subthreshold synaptic activity.

Monitoring activity in neural circuits with genetically encoded indicators

Recent developments in genetically encoded indicators of neural activity (GINAs) have greatly advanced the field of systems neuroscience. As they are encoded by DNA, GINAs can be targeted to genetically defined cellular populations. Combined with fluorescence microscopy, most notably multi-photon imaging, GINAs allow chronic simultaneous optical recordings from large populations of neurons or glial cells in awake, behaving mammals, particularly rodents. This large-scale recording of neural activity at multiple temporal and spatial scales has greatly advanced our understanding of the dynamics of neural circuitry underlying behavior—a critical first step toward understanding the complexities of brain function, such as sensorimotor integration and learning. Here, we summarize the recent development and applications of the major classes of GINAs. In particular, we take an in-depth look at the design of available GINA families with a particular focus on genetically encoded calcium indicators (GCaMPs), sensors probing synaptic activity, and genetically encoded voltage indicators. Using the family of the GCaMP as an example, we review established sensor optimization pipelines. We also discuss practical considerations for end users of GINAs about experimental methods including approaches for gene delivery, imaging system requirements, and data analysis techniques. With the growing toolbox of GINAs and with new microscopy techniques pushing beyond their current limits, the age of light can finally achieve the goal of broad and dense sampling of neuronal activity across time and brain structures to obtain a dynamic picture of brain function.

Single-trial imaging of spikes and synaptic potentials in single neurons in brain slices with genetically encoded hybrid voltage sensor

Genetically encoded voltage sensors expand the optogenetics toolkit into the important realm of electrical recording, enabling researchers to study the dynamic activity of complex neural circuits in real time. However, these probes have thus far performed poorly when tested in intact neural circuits. Hybrid voltage sensors (hVOS) enable the imaging of voltage by harnessing the resonant energy transfer that occurs between a genetically encoded component, a membrane-tethered fluorescent protein that serves as a donor, and a small charged molecule, dipicrylamine, which serves as an acceptor. hVOS generates optical signals as a result of voltage-induced changes in donor-acceptor distance. We expressed the hVOS probe in mouse brain by in utero electroporation and in transgenic mice with a neuronal promoter. Under conditions favoring sparse labeling we could visualize single-labeled neurons. hVOS imaging reported electrically evoked fluorescence changes from individual neurons in slices from entorhinal cortex, somatosensory cortex, and hippocampus. These fluorescence signals tracked action potentials in individual neurons in a single trial with excellent temporal fidelity, producing changes that exceeded background noise by as much as 16-fold. Subthreshold synaptic potentials were detected in single trials in multiple distinct cells simultaneously. We followed signal propagation between different cells within one field of view and between dendrites and somata of the same cell. hVOS imaging thus provides a tool for high-resolution recording of electrical activity from genetically targeted cells in intact neuronal circuits.

Hybrid voltage sensor imaging of eGFP-F expressing neurons in chicken midbrain slices

BACKGROUND

Dendritic computation is essential for understanding information processing in single neurons and brain circuits. Optical methods are suited best to investigate function and biophysical properties of cellular compartments at high spatial and temporal resolution. Promising approaches include the use of voltage sensitive dyes, genetically encoded voltage sensors, or hybrid voltage sensors (hVoS) consisting of fluorescent proteins and voltage-dependent quenchers that, so far, are not available in avian neuroscience.

NEW METHOD

We have adapted a hVoS system for a chicken midbrain slice preparation by combining genetically expressed farnesylated eGFP with dipicrylamine (DPA). Depending on the cellular potential, DPA is shifted in the membrane, resulting in quenching of eGFP fluorescence linearly to the membrane potential by Förster resonance electron transfer.

RESULTS

In ovo electroporation resulted in labelled neurons throughout the midbrain with a high level of fine structural detail. After application of DPA, we were able to optically record electrically evoked action potentials with high signal-to-noise ratio and high spatio-temporal resolution.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS

Standard methods available for avian neuroscience such as whole-cell patch clamp yield insufficient data for the analysis of dendritic computation in single neurons. The high spatial and temporal resolution of hVoS data overcomes this limitation. The results obtained by our method are comparable to hVoS data published for mammals.

CONCLUSIONS

With the protocol presented here, it is possible to optically record information processing in single avian neurons at such high spatial and temporal resolution, that cellular and subcellular events can be analysed.

Application of FRET probes in the analysis of neuronal plasticity

Breakthroughs in imaging techniques and optical probes in recent years have revolutionized the field of life sciences in ways that traditional methods could never match. The spatial and temporal regulation of molecular events can now be studied with great precision. There have been several key discoveries that have made this possible. Since green fluorescent protein (GFP) was cloned in 1992, it has become the dominant tracer of proteins in living cells. Then the evolution of color variants of GFP opened the door to the application of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), which is now widely recognized as a powerful tool to study complicated signal transduction events and interactions between molecules. Employment of fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) allows the precise detection of FRET in small subcellular structures such as dendritic spines. In this review, we provide an overview of the basic and practical aspects of FRET imaging and discuss how different FRET probes have revealed insights into the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and enabled visualization of neuronal network activity both in vitro and in vivo.