El plásmido que expresa pCG001 UBP1 fue proporcionado amablemente por Rohan Baker en la Escuela John Curtin de Investigación Médica. Este trabajo fue financiado por March of Dimes Beca de Investigación 1-el año fiscal 2011, March of Dimes Premio Basil O&#39;Connor Starter Académico de Investigación # 5-FY20 y adjudicación NSF CARRERA 0.746.796.

1. Strain Engineering Workflow <ol><li> Inserto que codifica secuencias de (a) una secuencia de localización de membrana, (b) una proteína fluorescente de maduración rápida y (c) una secuencia de reconocimiento de la proteasa N-terminal a y en marco con una proteína de interés (por ejemplo, un factor de transcripción). Se utilizó la membrana dirigida TSR-Venus reportero 2 y fusionado a la secuencia de reconocimiento de la proteasa ubiquitina (Ub) para contar el número de expresadas bacteriófago λ represor CI moléculas de proteína. Los detalles sobre cómo se construyó la proteína de fusión TSR-Venus-Ub-CI, en sustitución de la de tipo salvaje CI región de codificación y la incorporación del constructo en la E. coli cromosoma utilizando λ recombinación Red 3, se describen en detalle en la ref. 1. </li><li> Verifique que todas las modificaciones de la secuencia. </li><li> Transformar un plásmido que codifica una proteasa específica para la secuencia de reconocimiento utilizado anteriormente en una cepa que expresa el indicador fluorescente y proteína de interésen fusión traduccional. Se utilizó la proteasa UBP1, que escinde inmediatamente después de que el residuo C-terminal de ubiquitina 4. </li></ol> 2. Las células de cultivo y preparar la Muestra <ol><li> Elija una E. colonia coli de interés a partir de una placa de agar recién rayada en 1 ml mínimo M9 suplementado con 5 medios 1X MEM aminoácidos ácidos y los antibióticos apropiados. Incubar en un agitador a temperatura deseada lo suficientemente largo para llegar a OD 600&gt; 1,0 (densidad óptica a 600 nm). </li><li> Se diluye la cultura en 1 ml de medio fresco M9 con los antibióticos apropiados a OD 600 = 0,02. Incubar en un agitador a temperatura apropiada. Densidad celular inicial se puede aumentar si es necesario para el crecimiento a baja temperatura. </li><li> Cuando la DO 600 = 0,2-0,3 (a 37 ° C con un cultivo de células inicial a una DO 600 = 0,02, esto llevará hr 3-4), comenzar a preparar el gel de agarosa almohadilla (paso 3). </li><li> Las células están listas para la formación de imágenes cuando OD <sub&gt; 600 = 0.3-0.4. </li><li> Se transfiere 1 ml de cultivo se incubaron en un tubo de microcentrífuga de 1,5 ml, centrifugar a 10.000 xg durante 1 min en una microcentrífuga de sobremesa. </li><li> Desechar el sobrenadante y añadir 1 ml de medio fresco M9 y resuspender el pellet suavemente. </li><li> Centrifugar a 10.000 xg durante 1 min. </li><li> Repita los pasos 1,6 y 1,7. Eliminar el sobrenadante. </li><li> Suavemente resuspender en 1 ml de medio M9. Las células se pueden usar directamente para imágenes de microscopio o diluida 10 - a 100-veces para asegurar bajas densidades celulares para formación de imágenes timelapse. Tenga en cuenta que las bajas densidades celulares son importantes para la formación de imágenes timelapse extendida. La cámara de formación de imágenes (paso 4) se sella durante el experimento. Debido al crecimiento exponencial de las células, las altas concentraciones de células iniciales puede reducir significativamente el oxígeno dentro de la cámara después de un crecimiento prolongado en la almohadilla de gel, reduciendo la maduración de la proteína fluorescente y afectando el crecimiento celular. </li></ol> 3. Preparar la solución de agarosa <ol><li> Pesar 10-20 mgbaja temperatura de fusión de agarosa en un tubo de microcentrífuga de 1,5 ml. </li><li> Añadir un volumen apropiado medio mínimo M9 sin antibióticos para hacer una solución al 3% de agarosa. </li><li> Se calienta la solución de agarosa durante 30 min a 70 º C para fundir, invirtiendo el tubo para asegurar que la solución está completamente fundida y homogénea. La almohadilla de gel se puede verter en este punto (paso 4) o la temperatura puede disminuirse a 50 ° C y se mantuvo durante varias horas para su uso posterior. </li></ol> 4. Preparar Pad Gel en la Cámara <ol><li> Cerca de 50 minutos antes de la proyección de imagen, una diapositiva Microaqueduct enjuague con agua. </li><li> Enjuagarse limpiar vidrio de cubierta (usando un método de limpieza rigurosas tal como el descrito en 6) y Microaqueduct portaobjetos con agua estéril y se seca por soplado con aire comprimido. </li><li> Coloque la junta de goma en la diapositiva Microaqueduct de modo que cubra las entradas y salidas en el lado del cristal de la corredera Microaqueduct (esto se puede modificar para aplicaciones enmedios de comunicación que se perfunde a través de la muestra). Aplicar 50 l solución de agarosa (paso 3) para el centro de la diapositiva Microaqueduct. </li><li> Arriba la solución de agarosa con el limpiado, vidrio de cubierta seca. </li><li> Dejar que la solución de agarosa en reposo a temperatura ambiente durante 30 min. </li><li> Mientras tanto, preparar una muestra de células (paso 2). </li><li> Despegue cuidadosamente el vidrio de cubierta de la parte superior de la almohadilla de gel. Añadir 1,0 l cultivo de células lavadas a la parte superior de la almohadilla de gel. Esperar a ~ 2 min para el cultivo a ser absorbido por la almohadilla de gel. Es importante no esperar tanto tiempo que los overdries almohadilla de gel, pero lo suficientemente largo que las células están correctamente adherida a la almohadilla de gel. El tiempo de espera Ideal variará con la temperatura y la humedad. </li><li> Mientras espera, secar otra cubierta de vidrio lavadas. </li><li> Cubrir la muestra con la cubierta de vidrio nuevo asegurándose de que la cubierta de vidrio deslizante y Microaqueduct están bien alineados. </li><li> Montar la cámara de temperatura controlada crecimiento siguiendo las instrucciones del fabricante.Se puede utilizar ahora para formación de imágenes en microscopio (paso 5). </li></ol> 5. Imagen y Adquisición de Películas Timelapse <ol><li> Encender el láser y microscopio siguiendo las instrucciones del fabricante (por ejemplo, el láser puede ser necesario calentar durante ~ 0,5 h antes del experimento). </li><li> Bloqueo de la cámara montada en el inserto de etapa en el microscopio. Establecer la temperatura de la cámara de crecimiento y el calentador objetivo a 37 º C o de otra temperatura deseada crecimiento. </li><li> Si obtención de imágenes por encima de la temperatura ambiente, el enfoque o la almohadilla de gel normalmente se reduciría significativamente durante ~ 15 min después del cambio de temperatura inicial. En la práctica, utilizar este tiempo para encontrar las regiones de interés y modificar los scripts de imagen según sea necesario para un experimento. </li><li> Encontrar las células en el microscopio y almacenar la posición de cada célula después de centrado dentro de una región de formación de imágenes predefinida y alineado. Más de una celda puede ser reflejada en cada ventana de tiempo de adquisición de imagen. Para timelapse imágenes sobre mlas generaciones, asegurar que las células con imagen son inicialmente separadas de otras células por lo menos unos pocos cientos de micras de modo que otras colonias no entrará en la región de formación de imágenes durante el crecimiento. </li><li> Ajuste de la intensidad del láser de excitación para que casi todas las moléculas fotoblanqueador fluorescente dentro de 6 exposiciones (Figura 5). </li><li> Utilización de un script automatizado de imágenes / revista, adquirir datos timelapse utilizando el algoritmo descrito en el flujo de trabajo experimental en la figura 3. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Hensel, Z., Feng, H. D., Han, B., Hatem, C., Wang, J., Xiao, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stochastic+expression+dynamics+of+transcription+factor+revealed+by+single-molecule+noise+analysis.">Stochastic expression dynamics of transcription factor revealed by single-molecule noise analysis.</a> Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 19, 797-802 (2012).</li><li>Yu, J., Xiao, J., Ren, X., Lao, K., Xie, X. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Probing+Gene+Expression+in+Live+Cells,+One+Protein+Molecule+at+a+Time.">Probing Gene Expression in Live Cells, One Protein Molecule at a Time.</a> Science. 311, 1600-1603 (2006).</li><li>Datsenko, K. A., Wanner, B. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=One-step+inactivation+of+chromosomal+genes+in+Escherichia+coli+K-12+using+PCR+products.">One-step inactivation of chromosomal genes in Escherichia coli K-12 using PCR products.</a> Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97, 6640-6645 (2000).</li><li>Tobias, J. W., Varshavsky, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cloning+and+Functional+Analysis+of+the+Ubiquitin-specific+Protease+Gene+UBP1+of+Saccharomyces+cerevisiae.">Cloning and Functional Analysis of the Ubiquitin-specific Protease Gene UBP1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 266, 12021-12028 (1991).</li><li>Sambrook, J., Russell, D. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. , A2.2 (2001).</li><li>Xiao, J., Elf, J., Li, G., Yu, J., Xie, X. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Imaging+gene+expression+in+living+cells+at+the+single-molecule+level.">Imaging gene expression in living cells at the single-molecule level.</a> Single Molecules: a laboratory manual. , 149-169 (2007).</li><li>Nagai, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+variant+of+yellow+fluorescent+protein+with+fast+and+efficient+maturation+for+cell-biological+applications.">A variant of yellow fluorescent protein with fast and efficient maturation for cell-biological applications.</a> Nat. Biotechnol. 20, 87-90 (2002).</li><li>Stagaman, G., Forsyth, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bright-field+microscopy+of+semitransparent+objects.">Bright-field microscopy of semitransparent objects.</a> J. Opt. Soc. Am. A. 5, 648-659 (1988).</li><li>Tobias, J. W., Shrader, T. E., Rocap, G., Varshavsky, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+N-end+rule+in+bacteria.">The N-end rule in bacteria.</a> Science. 254, 1374-137 (1991).</li></ol>

No tenemos revelaciones.

El método COTRAC puede ser generalizado para medir la producción de otras proteínas en la que N-o C-terminales convencionales fusiones de proteínas fluorescentes pueden perturbar la actividad de proteína. La estrategia COTRAC tiene tres ventajas únicas sobre los métodos actuales. En primer lugar, co-traduccional de fusión asegura que una molécula del indicador fluorescente es producida por cada molécula de la proteína de interés, lo que permite un recuento preciso de la producción de proteínas en tiempo re...

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><td> Nombre del reactivo </td><td> Empresa </td><td> Número de catálogo </td><td> Comentarios (opcional) </td></tr><tr><td> Agarosa (baja temperatura de fusión) </td><td> Lonza </td><td> 50100 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Milli-Q H 2 O </td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td> 5 × sales M9 </td><td></td><td></td><td> Siguiente receta descrita en 9 </td></tr><tr><td> 20% de glucosa </td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td> MgSO 4 </td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td> CaCl 2 </td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td> 50 × solución de aminoácidos MEM </td><td> Invitrogen </td><td> 11130-051 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Temperatura Controlada por el crecimientoCámara Etapa adaptador </td><td> Bioptechs </td><td> FCS-2 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Calentador Objetivo </td><td> Bioptechs </td><td> Modelo depende objetivo de microscopio </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Microaqueduct Slide </td><td> Bioptechs </td><td> 130119-5 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Lentes Micro cubierta </td><td> VWR </td><td> 40CIR-1 </td><td> Puede ser difícil de fuente, también disponible a partir de Bioptechs </td></tr><tr><td> Tapa de cristal corredizo / junta </td><td> Bioptechs </td><td> FCS2 0,75 mm </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Microscopio de Fluorescencia </td><td> Vario </td><td> Ejemplo de configuración: Coherente Innova 308C-ion argón láser, Olympus IX-81 microscopio Olympus PlanApo 100X NA 1.45 objetivo, Metamorph software </td><td> Debe tener una excitación láser, etapa automatizado xyz, software de automatización capaz de obtener imágenes con guión y autofocus, óptica capaces de resolvinag fluorescentes proteínas individuales </td></tr><tr><td> EM-CCD cámara </td><td> Vario </td><td> Ejemplo de configuración: Andor Ixon DU-898 </td><td> Debe tener ruido suficientemente bajo como para detectar las proteínas fluorescentes individuales por encima de fondo </td></tr></tbody></table>

single-molecule imaging of gene regulation in vivo using cotranslational activation by cleavage (cotrac)

Se describe un método de microscopía de fluorescencia, co-translacional de activación por escisión (COTRAC) a la imagen de la producción de moléculas de proteína en células vivas con precisión una sola molécula sin perturbar la funcionalidad de la proteína. Este método hace posible contar el número de moléculas de proteína producida en una célula durante las ventanas secuenciales, el tiempo de cinco minutos. Se requiere un microscopio de fluorescencia con una densidad de potencia del láser de excitación de ~ 0,5 a 1 kW / cm 2, que es suficientemente sensible para detectar moléculas individuales de proteínas fluorescentes en células vivas. El reportero fluorescente usada en este método se compone de tres partes: una secuencia de dirección de membrana, una maduración rápida, proteína fluorescente amarilla y una secuencia de reconocimiento de proteasa. El reportero está fusionado traduccionalmente al extremo N-terminal de una proteína de interés. Las células se cultivan en una platina de microscopio de temperatura controlada. Cada cinco minutos, moléculas fluorescentes dentro de las células se crean imágenes (y más tarde coUnted mediante el análisis de imágenes de fluorescencia) y posteriormente photobleached modo que las proteínas recién traducido sólo se cuentan en la siguiente medición. Imágenes de fluorescencia resultante de este método se puede analizar mediante la detección de manchas fluorescentes en cada imagen, asignándolos a las células individuales y luego asignar células a linajes celulares. El número de proteínas producidas dentro de una ventana de tiempo en una célula dada se calcula dividiendo la intensidad integrada de fluorescencia de las manchas por la intensidad media de las moléculas fluorescentes individuales. Se utilizó este método para medir los niveles de expresión en el intervalo de 0-45 moléculas individuales en 5 min ventanas de tiempo. Este método nos permitió medir el ruido en la expresión del represor CI λ, y tiene otras muchas aplicaciones potenciales en la biología de sistemas.

Los resultados típicos de un experimento de COTRAC seguimiento de la producción de la CI λ represor se muestran en las Figuras 4 y 5. En este experimento, 12 colonias fueron imágenes a intervalos de 5 min. En cada punto de tiempo, la colonia se autofocused primera y centralizada dentro de la región de formación de imágenes. A continuación, la posición centrada / focalizada y se almacenó una imagen de campo claro fue adquirida. La etapa se transloca luego por ~ 0,5 micras a lo ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Single-molecule Imaging of Gene Regulation In vivo Using Cotranslational Activation by Cleavage CoTrAC at JoVE.com

Single-molecule Imaging of Gene Regulation In vivo Using Cotranslational Activation by Cleavage CoTrAC

Se describe un método de microscopía de fluorescencia, co-translacional de activación por escisión (COTRAC), a la imagen de la producción de moléculas de proteína en células vivas con precisión una sola molécula sin perturbar la funcionalidad de la proteína. Este método se ha utilizado para seguir la dinámica de expresión estocásticos de un factor de transcripción, el λ represor CI<sup&gt; 1</sup&gt;.

Una sola molécula de imágenes del Reglamento Gene<em&gt; En vivo</em&gt; Utilización de la activación cotraduccional por escisión (COTRAC)

We describe a fluorescence microscopy method, Co-Translational Activation by Cleavage (CoTrAC) to image the production of protein molecules in live cells ...

single-molecule-imaging-gene-regulation-vivo-using-cotranslational

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Single-molecule Imaging of Gene Regulation In vivo Using Cotranslational Activation by Cleavage (CoTrAC)

9.8K vistas.  Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Se describe un método de microscopía de fluorescencia, co-translacional de activación por escisión (COTRAC), a la imagen de la producción de moléculas de proteína en células vivas con precisión una sola molécula sin perturbar la funcionalidad de la proteína. Este método se ha utilizado para seguir la dinámica de expresión estocásticos de un factor de transcripción, el λ represor CI 1.

Video: Single-molecule Imaging of Gene Regulation In vivo Using Cotranslational Activation by Cleavage CoTrAC

Single-Molecule Imaging of Nuclear Transport

The utility of single molecule fluorescence microscopy approaches has been proven to be of a great avail in understanding biological reactions over the last decade. The investigation of molecular interactions with high temporal and spatial resolutions deep within cells has remained challenging due to the inherently weak signals arising from individual molecules. Recent works by Yang et al. demonstrated that narrow-field epifluorescence microscopy allows visualization of nucleocytoplasmic transport at the single molecule level. By the single molecule approach, important kinetics, such as nuclear transport time and efficiency, for signal-dependent and independent cargo molecules have been obtained. Here we described a protocol for the methodological approach with an improved spatiotemporal resolution of 0.4 ms and 12 nm. The improved resolution enabled us to capture transient active transport and passive diffusion events through the nuclear pore complexes (NPC) in semi-intact cells. We expect this method to be used in elucidating other binding and trafficking events within cells.

Single molecule microscopy approch provided novel insights into nuclear transport.

Imagen de una sola molécula de transporte nuclear

The utility of single molecule fluorescence microscopy approaches has been proven to be of a great avail in understanding biological reactions over the ...

Investigación

Biología

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a conserved and highly regulated pathway by which cells die1. Apoptosis can be triggered when cells encounter a wide range of cytotoxic stresses. These insults initiate signaling cascades that ultimately cause the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrial intermembrane space to the cytoplasm2. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria is a key event that triggers the rapid activation of caspases, the key cellular proteases which ultimately execute cell death3-4.
The pathway of apoptosis is regulated at points upstream and downstream of cytochrome c release from mitochondria5. In order to study the post-mitochondrial regulation of caspase activation, many investigators have turned to direct cytoplasmic microinjection of holocytochrome c (heme-attached) protein into cells6-9. Cytochrome c is normally localized to the mitochondria where attachment of a heme group is necessary to enable it to activate apoptosis10-11. Therefore, to directly activate caspases, it is necessary to inject the holocytochrome c protein instead of its cDNA, because while the expression of cytochrome c from cDNA constructs will result in mitochondrial targeting and heme attachment, it will be sequestered from cytosolic caspases. Thus, the direct cytosolic microinjection of purified heme-attached cytochrome c protein is a useful tool to mimic mitochondrial cytochrome c release and apoptosis without the use of toxic insults which cause cellular and mitochondrial damage.
In this article, we describe a method for the microinjection of cytochrome c protein into cells, using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and primary sympathetic neurons as examples. While this protocol focuses on the injection of cytochrome c for investigations of apoptosis, the techniques shown here can also be easily adapted for microinjection of other proteins of interest.

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c

In this protocol, we describe the direct cytoplasmic microinjection of cytochrome c protein into fibroblasts and primary sympathetic neurons. This technique allows for the introduction of cytochrome c protein into the cytoplasm of cells and mimics the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, which occurs during apoptosis.

La activación de la apoptosis mediante microinyección citoplasmática del citocromo C</em

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a conserved and highly regulated pathway by which cells die1.  Apoptosis can be triggered when cells encounter a ...

In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase

Efforts to isolate the catalytic subunit of telomerase, TERT, in sufficient quantities for structural studies, have been met with limited success for more than a decade. Here, we present methods for the isolation of the recombinant Tribolium castaneum TERT (TcTERT) and the reconstitution of the active T. castaneum telomerase ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex in vitro.
Telomerase is a specialized reverse transcriptase1 that adds short DNA repeats, called telomeres, to the 3' end of linear chromosomes2 that serve to protect them from end-to-end fusion and degradation. Following DNA replication, a short segment is lost at the end of the chromosome3 and without telomerase, cells continue dividing until eventually reaching their Hayflick Limit4. Additionally, telomerase is dormant in most somatic cells5 in adults, but is active in cancer cells6 where it promotes cell immortality7.
The minimal telomerase enzyme consists of two core components: the protein subunit (TERT), which comprises the catalytic subunit of the enzyme and an integral RNA component (TER), which contains the template TERT uses to synthesize telomeres8,9. Prior to 2008, only structures for individual telomerase domains had been solved10,11. A major breakthrough in this field came from the determination of the crystal structure of the active12, catalytic subunit of T. castaneum telomerase, TcTERT1.
Here, we present methods for producing large quantities of the active, soluble TcTERT for structural and biochemical studies, and the reconstitution of the telomerase RNP complex in vitro for telomerase activity assays. An overview of the experimental methods used is shown in Figure 1.

In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase

Efforts to isolate the catalytic subunit of telomerase, TERT, in sufficient quantities for structural studies, have been met with limited success for more than a decade. Here, we present methods for the isolation of the recombinant Tribolium castaneum TERT (TcTERT) and the reconstitution of the active T. castaneum telomerase ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex in vitro.

En la reconstitución in vitro de los activos T. castaneum telomerasa

Efforts to isolate the catalytic subunit of telomerase, TERT, in sufficient quantities for structural studies, have been met with limited success for more ...

Isolation of Ribosome Bound Nascent Polypeptides in vitro to Identify Translational Pause Sites Along mRNA

The rate of translational elongation is non-uniform. mRNA secondary structure, codon usage and mRNA associated proteins may alter ribosome movement on the messagefor review see 1. However, it's now widely accepted that synonymous codon usage is the primary cause of non-uniform translational elongation rates1. Synonymous codons are not used with identical frequency. A bias exists in the use of synonymous codons with some codons used more frequently than others2. Codon bias is organism as well as tissue specific2,3. Moreover, frequency of codon usage is directly proportional to the concentrations of cognate tRNAs4. Thus, a frequently used codon will have higher multitude of corresponding tRNAs, which further implies that a frequent codon will be translated faster than an infrequent one. Thus, regions on mRNA enriched in rare codons (potential pause sites) will as a rule slow down ribosome movement on the message and cause accumulation of nascent peptides of the respective sizes5-8. These pause sites can have functional impact on the protein expression, mRNA stability and protein foldingfor review see 9. Indeed, it was shown that alleviation of such pause sites can alter ribosome movement on mRNA and subsequently may affect the efficiency of co-translational (in vivo) protein folding1,7,10,11. To understand the process of protein folding in vivo, in the cell, that is ultimately coupled to the process of protein synthesis it is essential to gain comprehensive insights into the impact of codon usage/tRNA content on the movement of ribosomes along mRNA during translational elongation.
Here we describe a simple technique that can be used to locate major translation pause sites for a given mRNA translated in various cell-free systems6-8. This procedure is based on isolation of nascent polypeptides accumulating on ribosomes during in vitro translation of a target mRNA. The rationale is that at low-frequency codons, the increase in the residence time of the ribosomes results in increased amounts of nascent peptides of the corresponding sizes. In vitro transcribed mRNA is used for in vitro translational reactions in the presence of radioactively labeled amino acids to allow the detection of the nascent chains. In order to isolate ribosome bound nascent polypeptide complexes the translation reaction is layered on top of 30% glycerol solution followed by centrifugation. Nascent polypeptides in polysomal pellet are further treated with ribonuclease A and resolved by SDS PAGE. This technique can be potentially used for any protein and allows analysis of ribosome movement along mRNA and the detection of the major pause sites. Additionally, this protocol can be adapted to study factors and conditions that can alter ribosome movement and thus potentially can also alter the function/conformation of the protein.

Isolation of Ribosome Bound Nascent Polypeptides in vitro to Identify Translational Pause Sites Along mRNA

A technique to identify translational pause sites on mRNA is described. This procedure is based on isolation of nascent polypeptides accumulating on ribosomes during in vitro translation of a target mRNA, followed by the size analysis of the nascent chains using a denaturing gel electrophoresis.

El aislamiento de los ribosomas polipéptidos nacientes Bound<em&gt; In vitro</em&gt; Para la identificación de sitios de traslación pausa a lo largo del ARNm

The rate of translational elongation is non-uniform. mRNA secondary structure, codon usage and mRNA associated proteins may alter ribosome movement on the ...

Using SecM Arrest Sequence as a Tool to Isolate Ribosome Bound Polypeptides

Extensive research has provided ample evidences suggesting that protein folding in the cell is a co-translational process1-5. However, the exact pathway that polypeptide chain follows during co-translational folding to achieve its functional form is still an enigma. In order to understand this process and to determine the exact conformation of the co-translational folding intermediates, it is essential to develop techniques that allow the isolation of RNCs carrying nascent chains of predetermined sizes to allow their further structural analysis.
SecM (secretion monitor) is a 170 amino acid E. coli protein that regulates expression of the downstream SecA (secretion driving) ATPase in the secM-secA operon6. Nakatogawa and Ito originally found that a 17 amino acid long sequence (150-FSTPVWISQAQGIRAGP-166) in the C-terminal region of the SecM protein is sufficient and necessary to cause stalling of SecM elongation at Gly165, thereby producing peptidyl-glycyl-tRNA stably bound to the ribosomal P-site7-9. More importantly, it was found that this 17 amino acid long sequence can be fused to the C-terminus of virtually any full-length and/or truncated protein thus allowing the production of RNCs carrying nascent chains of predetermined sizes7. Thus, when fused or inserted into the target protein, SecM stalling sequence produces arrest of the polypeptide chain elongation and generates stable RNCs both in vivo in E. coli cells and in vitro in a cell-free system. Sucrose gradient centrifugation is further utilized to isolate RNCs.
The isolated RNCs can be used to analyze structural and functional features of the co-translational folding intermediates. Recently, this technique has been successfully used to gain insights into the structure of several ribosome bound nascent chains10,11. Here we describe the isolation of bovine Gamma-B Crystallin RNCs fused to SecM and generated in an in vitro translation system.

We describe here a technique that is now routinely used to isolate stably bound ribosome nascent chain complexes (RNCs). This technique takes advantage of the discovery that a 17 amino acid long SecM "arrest sequence" can halt translation elongation in a prokaryotic (E. coli) system, when inserted into (or fused to the C-terminus) of virtually any protein.

Usar secuencias de detención SecM como una herramienta para aislar Ribosome polipéptidos enlazados

Extensive research has provided ample evidences suggesting that protein folding in the cell is a co-translational process1-5. However, the exact pathway ...

Analysis of Global RNA Synthesis at the Single Cell Level following Hypoxia

Hypoxia or lowering of the oxygen availability is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. At the molecular level, cells initiate a particular transcriptional program in order to mount an appropriate and coordinated cellular response. The cell possesses several oxygen sensor enzymes that require molecular oxygen as cofactor for their activity. These range from prolyl-hydroxylases to histone demethylases. The majority of studies analyzing cellular responses to hypoxia are based on cellular populations and average studies, and as such single cell analysis of hypoxic cells are seldom performed. Here we describe a method of analysis of global RNA synthesis at the single cell level in hypoxia by using Click-iT RNA imaging kits in an oxygen controlled workstation, followed by microscopy analysis and quantification.&nbsp; Using cancer cells exposed to hypoxia for different lengths of time, RNA is labeled and measured in each cell. This analysis allows the visualization of temporal and cell-to-cell changes in global RNA synthesis following hypoxic stress.

We describe a technique for analysis of global RNA synthesis in hypoxia using imaging. Click-chemistry labeling of RNA has not previously been performed under hypoxia and allows visualization of global RNA changes at the single cell level. This approach complements the existing averaged RNA techniques, allowing direct visualization of cell-to-cell changes in global RNA synthesis.

Análisis de RNA Global Síntesis en el nivel de células individuales siguiente Hipoxia

Hypoxia or lowering of the oxygen availability is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. At the molecular level, cells initiate a ...

Demonstration of Proteolytic Activation of the Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) by Combining Current Measurements with Detection of Cleavage Fragments

The described methods can be used to investigate the effect of proteases on ion channels, receptors, and other plasma membrane proteins heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In combination with site-directed mutagenesis, this approach provides a powerful tool to identify functionally relevant cleavage sites. Proteolytic activation is a characteristic feature of the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). The final activating step involves cleavage of the channel&#8217;s &#947;-subunit in a critical region potentially targeted by several proteases including chymotrypsin and plasmin. To determine the stimulatory effect of these serine proteases on ENaC, the amiloride-sensitive whole-cell current (&#916;Iami) was measured twice in the same oocyte before and after exposure to the protease using the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. In parallel to the electrophysiological experiments, a biotinylation approach was used to monitor the appearance of &#947;ENaC cleavage fragments at the cell surface. Using the methods described, it was demonstrated that the time course of proteolytic activation of ENaC-mediated whole-cell currents correlates with the appearance of a &#947;ENaC cleavage product at the cell surface. These results suggest a causal link between channel cleavage and channel activation. Moreover, they confirm the concept that a cleavage event in &#947;ENaC is required as a final step in proteolytic channel activation. The methods described here may well be applicable to address similar questions for other types of ion channels or membrane proteins.

Demonstration of Proteolytic Activation of the Epithelial Sodium Channel ENaC by Combining Current Measurements with Detection of Cleavage Fragments

Proteolytic activation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes can be demonstrated by combining current measurements with a biotinylation approach to investigate the appearance of ion channel cleavage products at the cell surface. Functionally important cleavage sites can be identified by using site-directed mutagenesis.

Demostración de la activación proteolítica del canal de sodio epitelial (ENaC) mediante la combinación de mediciones de corriente con detección de fragmentos de escisión

The described methods can be used to investigate the effect of proteases on ion channels, receptors, and other plasma membrane proteins heterologously ...

Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET

Bending of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is associated with many important biological processes such as DNA-protein recognition and DNA packaging into nucleosomes. Thermodynamics of dsDNA bending has been studied by a method called cyclization which relies on DNA ligase to covalently join short sticky ends of a dsDNA. However, ligation efficiency can be affected by many factors that are not related to dsDNA looping such as the DNA structure surrounding the joined sticky ends, and ligase can also affect the apparent looping rate through mechanisms such as nonspecific binding. Here, we show how to measure dsDNA looping kinetics without ligase by detecting transient DNA loop formation by FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer). dsDNA molecules are constructed using a simple PCR-based protocol with a FRET pair and a biotin linker. The looping probability density known as the J factor is extracted from the looping rate and the annealing rate between two disconnected sticky ends. By testing two dsDNAs with different intrinsic curvatures, we show that the J factor is sensitive to the intrinsic shape of the dsDNA.

This study presents a detailed experimental procedure to measure looping dynamics of double-stranded DNA using single-molecule Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). The protocol also describes how to extract the looping probability density called the J factor.

El estudio de ADN Looping por FRET sola molécula

Bending of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is associated with many important biological processes such as DNA-protein recognition and DNA packaging into ...

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain the turnover of all mature blood cell lineages. The coordination of the complex signals leading to specific HSC fates relies upon the interaction between HSCs and the intricate bone marrow microenvironment, which is still poorly understood[1-2].
We describe how by combining a newly developed specimen holder for stable animal positioning with multi-step confocal and two-photon in vivo imaging techniques, it is possible to obtain high-resolution 3D stacks containing HSPCs and their surrounding niches and to monitor them over time through multi-point time-lapse imaging. High definition imaging allows detecting ex vivo labeled hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) residing within the bone marrow. Moreover, multi-point time-lapse 3D imaging, obtained with faster acquisition settings, provides accurate information about HSPC movement and the reciprocal interactions between HSPCs and stroma cells.
Tracking of HSPCs in relation to GFP positive osteoblastic cells is shown as an exemplary application of this method. This technique can be utilized to track any appropriately labeled hematopoietic or stromal cell of interest within the mouse calvarium bone marrow space.

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

The nature of the interactions between hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and bone marrow niches is poorly understood. Custom hardware modifications and a multi-step acquisition protocol allow the use of two-photon and confocal microscopy to image ex vivo labeled HSPCs homed within bone marrow areas, tracking interactions and movement.

En Vivo Tracking 4-Dimensional de madre hematopoyéticas y células progenitoras en ratones adultos de calota de Médula Ósea

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) ...

Parallel High Throughput Single Molecule Kinetic Assay for Site-Specific DNA Cleavage

Site-specific DNA cleavage (SSDC) is a key step in many cellular processes, and it is crucial to gene editing. This work describes a kinetic assay capable of measuring SSDC in many single DNA molecules simultaneously. Bead-tethered substrate DNAs, each containing a single copy of the target sequence, are prepared in a microfluidic flow channel. An external magnet applies a weak force to the paramagnetic beads. The integrity of up to 1,000 individual DNAs can be monitored by visualizing the microbeads under darkfield imaging using a wide-field, low magnification objective. Injecting of a restriction endonuclease, NdeI, initiates the cleavage reaction. Video microscopy is used to record the exact moment of each DNA cleavage by observing the frame in which the associated bead moves up and out of the focal plane of the objective. Frame-by-frame bead counting quantifies the reaction, and an exponential fit determines the reaction rate. This method allows collection of quantitative and statistically significant data on single molecule SSDC reactions in a single experiment.

A highly parallel method for measuring the site-specific cleavage of DNA at the single molecule level is described. This protocol demonstrates the technique using the restriction endonuclease NdeI. The method can easily be modified to study any process that results in site-specific DNA cleavage.

Ensayo cinético de molécula única de alto rendimiento paralelo para la escoja de ADN específica del sitio

Site-specific DNA cleavage (SSDC) is a key step in many cellular processes, and it is crucial to gene editing. This work describes a kinetic assay capable ...