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Fenelon KD, Krause J, Koromila T. Opticool: Cutting-edge transgenic optical tools. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011208. [PMID: 38517915 PMCID: PMC10959397 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Only a few short decades have passed since the sequencing of GFP, yet the modern repertoire of transgenically encoded optical tools implies an exponential proliferation of ever improving constructions to interrogate the subcellular environment. A myriad of tags for labeling proteins, RNA, or DNA have arisen in the last few decades, facilitating unprecedented visualization of subcellular components and processes. Development of a broad array of modern genetically encoded sensors allows real-time, in vivo detection of molecule levels, pH, forces, enzyme activity, and other subcellular and extracellular phenomena in ever expanding contexts. Optogenetic, genetically encoded optically controlled manipulation systems have gained traction in the biological research community and facilitate single-cell, real-time modulation of protein function in vivo in ever broadening, novel applications. While this field continues to explosively expand, references are needed to assist scientists seeking to use and improve these transgenic devices in new and exciting ways to interrogate development and disease. In this review, we endeavor to highlight the state and trajectory of the field of in vivo transgenic optical tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli D. Fenelon
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America
| | - Julia Krause
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America
| | - Theodora Koromila
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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2
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Henderson J, Havranek O, Ma MCJ, Herman V, Kupcova K, Chrbolkova T, Pacheco-Blanco M, Wang Z, Comer JM, Zal T, Davis RE. Detecting Förster resonance energy transfer in living cells by conventional and spectral flow cytometry. Cytometry A 2022; 101:818-834. [PMID: 34128311 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.24472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Assays based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) can be used to study many processes in cell biology. Although this is most often done with microscopy for fluorescence detection, we report two ways to measure FRET in living cells by flow cytometry. Using a conventional flow cytometer and the "3-cube method" for intensity-based calculation of FRET efficiency, we measured the enzymatic activity of specific kinases in cells expressing a genetically-encoded reporter. For both AKT and protein kinase A, the method measured kinase activity in time-course, dose-response, and kinetic assays. Using the Cytek Aurora spectral flow cytometer, which applies linear unmixing to emission measured in multiple wavelength ranges, FRET from the same reporters was measured with greater single-cell precision, in real time and in the presence of other fluorophores. Results from gene-knockout studies suggested that spectral flow cytometry might enable the sorting of cells on the basis of FRET. The methods we present provide convenient and flexible options for using FRET with flow cytometry in studies of cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared Henderson
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ondrej Havranek
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic.,Department of Hematology, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Man Chun John Ma
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vaclav Herman
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic.,Department of Hematology, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Kupcova
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Chrbolkova
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | | | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Justin M Comer
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tomasz Zal
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Richard Eric Davis
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Liu L, He F, Yu Y, Wang Y. Application of FRET Biosensors in Mechanobiology and Mechanopharmacological Screening. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:595497. [PMID: 33240867 PMCID: PMC7680962 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.595497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive studies have shown that cells can sense and modulate the biomechanical properties of the ECM within their resident microenvironment. Thus, targeting the mechanotransduction signaling pathways provides a promising way for disease intervention. However, how cells perceive these mechanical cues of the microenvironment and transduce them into biochemical signals remains to be answered. Förster or fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based biosensors are a powerful tool that can be used in live-cell mechanotransduction imaging and mechanopharmacological drug screening. In this review, we will first introduce FRET principle and FRET biosensors, and then, recent advances on the integration of FRET biosensors and mechanobiology in normal and pathophysiological conditions will be discussed. Furthermore, we will summarize the current applications and limitations of FRET biosensors in high-throughput drug screening and the future improvement of FRET biosensors. In summary, FRET biosensors have provided a powerful tool for mechanobiology studies to advance our understanding of how cells and matrices interact, and the mechanopharmacological screening for disease intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yingxiao Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Co-imaging extrinsic, intrinsic and effector caspase activity by fluorescence anisotropy microscopy. Redox Biol 2018; 19:210-217. [PMID: 30176560 PMCID: PMC6120609 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2018.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to overcome intercellular variability and thereby effectively assess signal propagation in biological networks it is imperative to simultaneously quantify multiple biological observables in single living cells. While fluorescent biosensors have been the tool of choice to monitor the dynamics of protein interaction and enzymatic activity, co-measuring more than two of them has proven challenging. In this work, we designed three spectrally separated anisotropy-based Förster Resonant Energy Transfer (FRET) biosensors to overcome this difficulty. We demonstrate this principle by monitoring the activation of extrinsic, intrinsic and effector caspases upon apoptotic stimulus. Together with modelling and simulations we show that time of maximum activity for each caspase can be derived from the anisotropy of the corresponding biosensor. Such measurements correlate relative activation times and refine existing models of biological signalling networks, providing valuable insight into signal propagation.
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A Guide to Fluorescent Protein FRET Pairs. SENSORS 2016; 16:s16091488. [PMID: 27649177 PMCID: PMC5038762 DOI: 10.3390/s16091488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 269] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Förster or fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technology and genetically encoded FRET biosensors provide a powerful tool for visualizing signaling molecules in live cells with high spatiotemporal resolution. Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are most commonly used as both donor and acceptor fluorophores in FRET biosensors, especially since FPs are genetically encodable and live-cell compatible. In this review, we will provide an overview of methods to measure FRET changes in biological contexts, discuss the palette of FP FRET pairs developed and their relative strengths and weaknesses, and note important factors to consider when using FPs for FRET studies.
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Hochreiter B, Garcia AP, Schmid JA. Fluorescent proteins as genetically encoded FRET biosensors in life sciences. SENSORS 2015; 15:26281-314. [PMID: 26501285 PMCID: PMC4634415 DOI: 10.3390/s151026281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescence- or Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a measurable physical energy transfer phenomenon between appropriate chromophores, when they are in sufficient proximity, usually within 10 nm. This feature has made them incredibly useful tools for many biomedical studies on molecular interactions. Furthermore, this principle is increasingly exploited for the design of biosensors, where two chromophores are linked with a sensory domain controlling their distance and thus the degree of FRET. The versatility of these FRET-biosensors made it possible to assess a vast amount of biological variables in a fast and standardized manner, allowing not only high-throughput studies but also sub-cellular measurements of biological processes. In this review, we aim at giving an overview over the recent advances in genetically encoded, fluorescent-protein based FRET-biosensors, as these represent the largest and most vividly growing group of FRET-based sensors. For easy understanding, we are grouping them into four categories, depending on their molecular mechanism. These are based on: (a) cleavage; (b) conformational-change; (c) mechanical force and (d) changes in the micro-environment. We also address the many issues and considerations that come with the development of FRET-based biosensors, as well as the possibilities that are available to measure them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Hochreiter
- Institute for Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Medical University Vienna, Schwarzspanierstraße17, Vienna A-1090, Austria.
| | - Alan Pardo Garcia
- Institute for Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Medical University Vienna, Schwarzspanierstraße17, Vienna A-1090, Austria.
| | - Johannes A Schmid
- Institute for Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Medical University Vienna, Schwarzspanierstraße17, Vienna A-1090, Austria.
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