Name: live cell imaging of f-actin dynamics via fluorescent speckle microscopy (fsm)
Uploaded: 2009-08-05T19:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Live Cell Imaging of F-actin Dynamics via Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy FSM at JoVE.com

The development of qFSM is funded by the NIH grant U01 GM06230.

Section 1: Obtaining your fluorescently labeled actin for FSM
Materials required: purified actin, fluorophore (Alexa, X-rhodamine recommended). G-buffer, ultracentrifuge
<ol>
<li>A key component to acquiring good FSM movies requires the proper labeling of actin (or other cytoskeletal proteins) with the fluorophore of your choice. We recommend using fluorophores of Alexa (488, 568 wavelengths) and X-rhodamine succinimidyl ester derivatives that target exposed lysine residues on the sur...

<ol>
	<li>Waterman-Storer, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fluorescent+speckle+microscopy+(FSM)+of+microtubules+and+actin+in+living+cells.">Fluorescent speckle microscopy (FSM) of microtubules and actin in living cells.</a> Curr Protoc Cell Biol. Chapter 4, Unit 4.10-Unit 4.10 (2002).</li><li>Ponti, A., Machacek, M., Gupton, S. L., Waterman-Storer, C. M., Danuser, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two+distinct+actin+networks+drive+the+protrusion+of+migrating+cells.">Two distinct actin networks drive the protrusion of migrating cells.</a> Science. 305, 1782-1786 (2004).</li><li>Zhang, X. F., Schaefer, A. W., Burnette, D. T., Schoonderwoert, V. T., Forscher, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rho-dependent+contractile+responses+in+the+neuronal+growth+cone+are+independent+of+classical+peripheral+retrograde+actin+flow.">Rho-dependent contractile responses in the neuronal growth cone are independent of classical peripheral retrograde actin flow.</a> Neuron. 40, 931-944 (2003).</li><li>Salmon, W. C., Adams, M. C., Waterman-Storer, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dual-wavelength+fluorescent+speckle+microscopy+reveals+coupling+of+microtubule+and+actin+movements+in+migrating+cells.">Dual-wavelength fluorescent speckle microscopy reveals coupling of microtubule and actin movements in migrating cells.</a> J Cell Biol. 158, 31-37 (2002).</li><li>Danuser, G., Waterman-Storer, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+fluorescent+speckle+microscopy+of+cytoskeleton+dynamics.">Quantitative fluorescent speckle microscopy of cytoskeleton dynamics.</a> Annu Rev Biophys Biomol Struct. 35, 361-387 (2006).</li></ol>

Several key factors are crucial for successfully obtaining speckle images, however good speckles begin and end with the quality of your fluorescently labeled actin. A high labeling ratio of dye to actin monomer, set around 0.4 to 0.7 will ensure that speckles will appear bright and discrete, while the labeled protein itself should be soluble and free of aggregates. Equally important is the microinjection procedure. To ensure normal cell homeostasis (and survival), cells need to be injected with a low flow pressure, int...

Injection buffer (IB) 
 50 mM potassium glutamate 
 0.5 M MgCl2 (APPENDIX 2A) 
 Store up to 2 years at &#8722;20&deg; C
&nbsp;
G-buffer 
 2 mM Tris&#8901;Cl, pH 8.0 (APPENDIX 2A) 
 0.2 mM CaCl2 (APPENDIX 2A) 
 Add just before use: 
 0.2 mM ATP (see recipe for 100 mM) 
 0.5 mM 2-mercaptoethanol
Store up to 1 day at 4&deg; C

live cell imaging of f-actin dynamics via fluorescent speckle microscopy (fsm)

In this protocol we describe the use of Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy (FSM) to capture high-resolution images of actin dynamics in PtK1 cells. A unique advantage of FSM is its ability to capture the movement and turnover kinetics (assembly/disassembly) of the F-actin network within living cells. This technique is particularly useful in deriving quantitative measurements of F-actin dynamics when paired with computer vision software (qFSM).  We describe  the selection, microinjection and visualization of fluorescent actin probes in living cells. Importantly, similar procedures are applicable to visualizing other macomolecular assemblies. FSM has been demonstrated for microtubules, intermediate filaments, and adhesion complexes.  

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Live Cell Imaging of F-actin Dynamics via Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy FSM at JoVE.com

Live Cell Imaging of F-actin Dynamics via Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy FSM

Selection, microinjection, and imaging of fluorescently-labeled F-actin via fluorescent speckle microscopy (FSM).

Live Cell Imaging of F-actin Dynamics via Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy (FSM)

In this protocol we describe the use of Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy (FSM) to capture high-resolution images of actin dynamics in PtK1 cells. A unique ...

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