העבודה שלנו התאפשר הודות לתמיכה כספית מן הקרן קרן מק &#39;נייט למדעי המוח (PAS), המכון הלאומי לשימוש בסמים (R01 DA019022: PAS) ו מראש דוקטורט NIH NRSA מלגת הרשות הפלסטינית (F31AA017042) מן המכון הלאומי על אלכוהול ו אלכוהוליזם. GIRK2-L257W מוטציה סופק על ידי ד&quot;ר Prafulla Aryal. מיקרוסקופ פלואורסצנטי חסות ובתנאי בחביבות על ידי מכשירים לייקה.

<ol>
	<li>Aryal, P., Dvir, H., Choe, S., Slesinger, P. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+discrete+alcohol+pocket+involved+in+GIRK+channel+activation.">A discrete alcohol pocket involved in GIRK channel activation.</a> Nature Neurosci. 12, 988-995 (2009).</li><li>Panchenko, V. A., Glasser, C. R., Mayer, M. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structural+similarities+between+glutamate+receptor+channels+and+K++channels+examined+by+scanning+mutagenesis.">Structural similarities between glutamate receptor channels and K+ channels examined by scanning mutagenesis.</a> J Gen Phys. 117, 345-360 (2001).</li><li>Doyle, D. A., Cabral, M. o. r. a. i. s., Pfuetzner, J., Kuo, R. A., Gulbis, A., Cohen, J. M., Chait, S. L., &amp;amp, B. T., MacKinnon, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+structure+of+the+potassium+channel:+molecular+basis+of+K++conduction+and+selectivity.">The structure of the potassium channel: molecular basis of K+ conduction and selectivity.</a> Science. 280, 69-77 (1998).</li><li>Nishida, M., Cadene, M., Chait, B. T., MacKinnon, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Crystal+structure+of+a+Kir3.1-prokaryotic+Kir+channel+chimera.">Crystal structure of a Kir3.1-prokaryotic Kir channel chimera.</a> EMBO J. 26, 4005-4015 (2007).</li><li>Tao, X., Avalos, J. L., Chen, J., MacKinnon, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Crystal+structure+of+the+eukaryotic+strong+inward-rectifier+K++channel+Kir2.2+at+3.1+&amp;Aring;+resolution.">Crystal structure of the eukaryotic strong inward-rectifier K+ channel Kir2.2 at 3.1 &amp;Aring; resolution.</a> Science. 326, 1668-1674 (2009).</li></ol>

אין ניגודי אינטרסים הכריז.

אתר מכוונת mutagenesis היא גישה קלאסית ללמוד מבנה תפקודי מערכות יחסים של תעלות יונים. היא מבוססת על ההנחה כי על ידי שינוי משקע קריטי של ערוץ יון אחד צריך להיות מסוגל לצפות שינויים בולטים בתפקוד הערוץ. לעומת זאת, מוטציות רבות במצב שאינם קריטיים ניתן הציג ללא הפרעות הגדולות לתפקד הערוץ. בדרך כלל, שאריות המדובר הוא מוטציה הראשון אלאנין, חומצה קטן קוטבי אמינו, ואחריה מוטציה כדי טריפטופן, הגדולה ביותר של חומצות אמינו 2. אם השארית היא חשובה לתפקוד הערוץ, מוטציות הן ישתנו פעילות הערוץ. אם שאריות חיוני פחות עובר מוטציה, את ההשפעות של מוטציה, במיוחד אלאנין הם לעתים קרובות חסרי ייחוד. מוטציות טריפטופן נוטים יותר לגרום לשינויים עקב מכשולים סטרית קשור לגודל טריפטופן. לעתים קרובות, כאשר את המידע מבניים חסר, מוטציה שיטתית אלאנין או טריפטופן בתוך שבר של הערוץ (הנקרא טריפטופן אלאנין או סריקה) ניתן להשתמש כדי לאתר שאריות קריטי. חשוב לציין כי שיבוטים מרובים עם מוטציות נקודתיות שונות ניתן להכין במקביל המאפשר בדיקות שאריות מרובות תוך זמן קצר יחסית. לאחרונה, מבנים גבישיים שונים של הערוצים נהיו זמינים 3,4,5. הם יכולים לשמש להציע שאריות מפתח פוטנציאל להיבדק באמצעות הגישה המתוארת פרוטוקול זה. מדידות בערוץ wild-type תמיד צריך ללוות את המדידה של ערוץ מוטציה לשמש מלאה חיובית להבטיח כי הניסויים transfection ו אלקטרו נעשו כראוי. מוטציות פוינט עשויה להוביל לחוסר הנוכחית פונקציונלי, דומה הנוכחי הסדרת wild-type או שינוי של פעילות הערוץ. חוסר הנוכחית למדידה יכול להיות בגלל סחר מתקפלים או שינו פסולים. במקרה כזה הוא עשוי להיות שימושי כדי לברר אם הערוץ traffics נכונה אל פני השטח באמצעות assay biotinylation או מכתים immunofluorescence נגד תג תאיים (ללא permeabilization התא) כדי להבחין בין שאינם פונקציונליים ערוצים הממברנה פלזמה ערוצי שמר בתוך התא . לבסוף, רצוי לחקור לא רק את הבסיס לפעילות של הערוץ, אלא גם ההשלכות של מוטציה על תקנה את הערוץ. מנגנונים שונים של אפנון של הפונקציה ערוץ יכול להיות למד בהתאם הערוץ יון עניין כולל רגולציה על ידי חלבוני G, PIP2, יונים, ריכוז ה-ATP, זירחון (באמצעות, טירוזין סרין או תראונין מוטציה), או ubiquitination sumoylation (באמצעות מוטציה ליזין) ואת ההתחלה ערוץ ישיר או חוסמי.

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 <table border="1">
 <thead>
 <tr>
 <td>Material Name</td>
 <td>Type</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue Number</td>
 <td>Comment</td>
 </tr>
 </thead>
 <tbody>
 
<tr>
<td>Chemicals</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>Varies</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Mini Prep Kit</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Qiagen</td>
<td>27104</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Radiacwash</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Biodex</td>
<td>005-100</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Poly-D-lysine hydrobromide</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>BD Biosciences</td>
<td>CB40210</td>
<td>Poly-L-lysine can also be used</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maxi Prep Kit</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Qiagen</td>
<td>12263</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>QuickChange XL II Site Directed Mutagenesis Kit</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Stratagene</td>
<td>200512-5</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Lipofectamine 2000</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>11668-027</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Cover slips &#x02C6;&#x2026; 12 mm</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Warner Instruments</td>
<td>CS-12R</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Capillary Glass Tubing Borosilicate-standard wall</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Warner Instruments</td>
<td>G150-3</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/light-microscopes/clinical/inverted-microscopes/details/product/leica-dmi3000-b/" target="_blank">Inverted fluorescence microscope</a></td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Leica</td>
<td>DMI3000 B</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Electrophysiology</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Nikon/ Leica/ Zeiss</td>
<td>Any inverted DIC (Hoffmann) microscope with fluorescence</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Amplifier</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Molecular Devices</td>
<td>Axon Axopatch 200B amplifier</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Perfusion system</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Warner Instruments</td>
<td>VC-6 Perfusion MM-6</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Digitizer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Molecular Devices</td>
<td>Digidata 1320 digitizer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Manipulators</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sutter Instruments</td>
<td>Manipulator: MP-85</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Electrode Puller</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Narishige</td>
<td>PC10 vertical electrode puller</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Isolation Table</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Technical Manufacturing Corporation</td>
<td>Air table</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td> </tbody>
 </table>
 </div>

mutagenesis and functional analysis of ion channels heterologously expressed in mammalian cells

אנו מדגימים כיצד לחקור את ההשפעות תפקודית של החדרת מוטציה טעם ערוץ יון. אנחנו לומדים G-חלבון מגודרת אשלגן לתיקון כלפי פנים (המכונה GIRK) ערוצים, אשר חשובים להסדרת רגישות של נוירונים. ישנם ארבעה יונקים שונים ערוץ GIRK יחידות משנה (GIRK1-GIRK4) - אנו מתמקדים GIRK2 כי זה יוצר homotetramer. גירוי של סוגים שונים של G-חלבון בשילוב קולטנים (GPCRs), כגון הקולטן muscarinic (M2R), מוביל ההפעלה של ערוצי GIRK. אלכוהול גם ישירות מפעילה ערוצי GIRK. אנו מראים כיצד להשתנות חומצה אמינית אחת על ידי שינוי ספציפי אחד או יותר נוקלאוטידים ב cDNA לערוץ GIRK. רצף זה cDNA מוטנטי יהיה מוגבר של חיידקים, מטוהרים, ואת הנוכחות של מוטציה נקודת יאושר על ידי רצפי DNA. CDNAs עבור ערוצי מוטציה ו wild-type GIRK יהיה transfected לתוך עובריים אנושיים לתאי כליה HEK293T תרבותי במבחנה. לבסוף, כל תא תיקון-clamp electrophysiology ישמש כדי לחקור את זרמי אשלגן מאקרוסקופיים בצינורות הביע ectopically GIRK wild-type או מוטציה. בניסוי זה, נבחן את ההשפעה של מוטציה ב L257W GIRK2 ערוצים ההפעלה M2R תלויי ואלכוהול תלויי.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Mutagenesis and Functional Analysis of Ion Channels Heterologously Expressed in Mammalian Cells at JoVE.com

Mutagenesis and Functional Analysis of Ion Channels Heterologously Expressed in Mammalian Cells

אנו מדגימים כיצד ללמוד את ההשפעה של מוטציה נקודה אחת על התפקוד של ערוץ יון.

Mutagenesis וניתוח פונקציונלי של תעלות יונים הביעו Heterologously בתאי יונקים

We will demonstrate how to study the functional effects of introducing a point mutation in an ion channel. We study G protein-gated inwardly rectifying ...

mutagenesis-functional-analysis-ion-channels-heterologously-expressed

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

17.3K Views.  Salk Institute for Biological Studies. אנו מדגימים כיצד ללמוד את ההשפעה של מוטציה נקודה אחת על התפקוד של ערוץ יון.

Video: Mutagenesis and Functional Analysis of Ion Channels Heterologously Expressed in Mammalian Cells

Patch Clamp Recording of Ion Channels Expressed in  Xenopus Oocytes

Since its development by Sakmann and Neher 1, 2, the patch clamp has become established as an extremely useful technique for electrophysiological measurement of single or multiple ion channels in cells. This technique can be applied to ion channels in both their native environment and expressed in heterologous cells, such as oocytes harvested from the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. Here, we describe the well-established technique of patch clamp recording from Xenopus oocytes. This technique is used to measure the properties of expressed ion channels either in populations (macropatch) or individually (single-channel recording). We focus on techniques to maximize the quality of oocyte preparation and seal generation. With all factors optimized, this technique gives a probability of successful seal generation over 90 percent. The process may be optimized differently by every researcher based on the factors he or she finds most important, and we present the approach that have lead to the greatest success in our hands.

This is intended as an introduction to patch clamp recording from Xenopus laevis oocytes. It covers vitelline membrane removal, formation of a gigaohm seal (gigaseal), and the optional conversion of the patch to the outside-out topology.

הצמד תיקון הקלטה של ​​תעלות יונים מתבטא ביציות Xenopus

Since its development by Sakmann and Neher 1, 2, the patch clamp has become established as an extremely useful technique for electrophysiological ...

Pulse-chase Analysis of N-linked Sugar Chains from Glycoproteins in Mammalian Cells

Attachment of the Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 precursor oligosaccharide to nascent polypeptides in the ER is a common modification for secretory proteins. Although this modification was implicated in several biological processes, additional aspects of its function are emerging, with recent evidence of its role in the production of signals for glycoprotein quality control and trafficking. Thus, phenomena related to N-linked glycans and their processing are being intensively investigated. Methods that have been recently developed for proteomic analysis have greatly improved the characterization of glycoprotein N-linked glycans. Nevertheless, they do not provide insight into the dynamics of the sugar chain processing involved. For this, labeling and pulse-chase analysis protocols are used that are usually complex and give very low yields. We describe here a simple method for the isolation and analysis of metabolically labeled N-linked oligosaccharides. The protocol is based on labeling of cells with [2-3H] mannose, denaturing lysis and enzymatic release of the oligosaccharides from either a specifically immunoprecipitated protein of interest or from the general glycoprotein pool by sequential treatments with endo H and N-glycosidase F, followed by molecular filtration (Amicon). In this method the isolated oligosaccharides serve as an input for HPLC analysis, which allows discrimination between various glycan structures according to the number of monosaccharide units comprising them, with a resolution of a single monosaccharide. Using this method we were able to study high mannose N-linked oligosaccharide profiles of total cell glycoproteins after pulse-chase in normal conditions and under proteasome inhibition. These profiles were compared to those obtained from an immunoprecipitated ER-associated degradation (ERAD) substrate. Our results suggest that most NIH 3T3 cellular glycoproteins are relatively stable and that most of their oligosaccharides are trimmed to Man9-8GlcNAc2. In contrast, unstable ERAD substrates are trimmed to Man6-5GlcNAc2 and glycoproteins bearing these species accumulate upon inhibition of proteasomal degradation.

We describe a method for analysis of the alteration of N-linked glycans through the early life of glycoproteins after their biosynthesis in mammalian cells. This is achieved by pulse-chase analysis of metabolically labeled glycans, enzymatic release from glycoproteins and examination by HPLC.

Pulse-מרדף ניתוח של N-linked שרשראות סוכר מ גליקופרוטאינים בתאי יונקים

Attachment of the Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 precursor oligosaccharide to nascent polypeptides in the ER is a common modification for secretory proteins. Although ...

Analysis of DNA Double-strand Break (DSB) Repair in Mammalian Cells

DNA double-strand breaks are the most dangerous DNA lesions that may lead to massive loss of genetic information and cell death. Cells repair DSBs using two major pathways: nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). Perturbations of NHEJ and HR are often associated with premature aging and tumorigenesis, hence it is important to have a quantitative way of measuring each DSB repair pathway. Our laboratory has developed fluorescent reporter constructs that allow sensitive and quantitative measurement of NHEJ and HR. The constructs are based on an engineered GFP gene containing recognition sites for a rare-cutting I-SceI endonuclease for induction of DSBs. The starting constructs are GFP negative as the GFP gene is inactivated by an additional exon, or by mutations. Successful repair of the I-SceI-induced breaks by NHEJ or HR restores the functional GFP gene. The number of GFP positive cells counted by flow cytometry provides quantitative measure of NHEJ or HR efficiency.

Analysis of DNA Double-strand Break DSB Repair in Mammalian Cells

This article describes GFP-based fluorescence in vivo assays that separately quantify homologous recombination and nonhomologous end joining in mammalian cells.

ניתוח תיקון DNA פעמיים גדיל Break (DSB) בתאי יונקים

DNA double-strand breaks are the most dangerous DNA lesions that may lead to massive loss of genetic information and cell death.  Cells repair DSBs using ...

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The protocol presented here is designed to study the activation of the large conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels. The protocol may also be used to study the structure-function relationship for other ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors1. BK channels are widely expressed in different tissues and have been implicated in many physiological functions, including regulation of smooth muscle contraction, frequency tuning of inner hair cells and regulation of neurotransmitter release2-6. BK channels are activated by membrane depolarization and by intracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ 6-9. Therefore, the protocol is designed to control both the membrane voltage and the intracellular solution. In this protocol, messenger RNA of BK channels is injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes (stage V-VI) followed by 2-5 days of incubation at 18&deg;C10-13. Membrane patches that contain single or multiple BK channels are excised with the inside-out configuration using patch clamp techniques10-13. The intracellular side of the patch is perfused with desired solutions during recording so that the channel activation under different conditions can be examined. To summarize, the mRNA of BK channels is injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes to express channel proteins on the oocyte membrane; patch clamp techniques are used to record currents flowing through the channels under controlled voltage and intracellular solutions.

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Ionic current of BK channels is recorded using patch clamp techniques. BK channels are expressed in Xenopus oocytes by injecting messenger RNA. The intracellular solution during patch clamp recordings is controlled by a perfusion system.

הצמד תיקון וטכניקות זלוף עבור לימוד תעלות יונים מתבטא Xenopus ביציות

The protocol presented here is designed to study the activation of the large conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels. The protocol may ...

Optimized Transfection Strategy for Expression and Electrophysiological Recording of Recombinant Voltage-Gated Ion Channels in HEK-293T Cells

The in vitro expression and electrophysiological recording of recombinant voltage-gated ion channels in cultured human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293T) is a ubiquitous research strategy. HEK-293T cells must be plated onto glass coverslips at low enough density so that they are not in contact with each other in order to allow for electrophysiological recording without confounding effects due to contact with adjacent cells. Transfected channels must also express with high efficiency at the plasma membrane for whole-cell patch clamp recording of detectable currents above noise levels. Heterologous ion channels often require long incubation periods at 28&deg;C after transfection in order to achieve adequate membrane expression, but there are increasing losses of cell-coverslip adhesion and membrane stability at this temperature. To circumvent this problem, we developed an optimized strategy to transfect and plate HEK-293T cells. This method requires that cells be transfected at a relatively high confluency, and incubated at 28&deg;C for varying incubation periods post-transfection to allow for adequate ion channel protein expression. Transfected cells are then plated onto glass coverslips and incubated at 37&deg;C for several hours, which allows for rigid cell attachment to the coverslips and membrane restabilization. Cells can be recorded shortly after plating, or can be transferred to 28&deg;C for further incubation. We find that the initial incubation at 28&deg;C, after transfection but before plating, is key for the efficient expression of heterologous ion channels that normally do not express well at the plasma membrane. Positively transfected, cultured cells are identified by co-expressed eGFP or eGFP expressed from a bicistronic vector (e.g. pIRES2-EGFP) containing the recombinant ion channel cDNA just upstream of an internal ribosome entry site and an eGFP coding sequence. Whole-cell patch clamp recording requires specialized equipment, plus the crafting of polished recording electrodes and L-shaped ground electrodes from borosilicate glass. Drug delivery to study the pharmacology of ion channels can be achieved by directly micropipetting drugs into the recording dish, or by using microperfusion or gravity flow systems that produce uninterrupted streams of drug solution over recorded cells.

Reliable method for highly efficient in vitro expression and subsequent electrophysiological recording of recombinant voltage-gated ion channels in cultured human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293T).

Transfection אסטרטגיה אופטימיזציה עבור הביטוי הקלטה של ​​אלקטרו Voltage-מגודרת ערוצי רקומביננטי יון ב HEK-293T תאים

The in vitro expression and electrophysiological recording of recombinant voltage-gated ion channels in cultured human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293T) ...

Analysis of mRNA Nuclear Export Kinetics in Mammalian Cells by Microinjection

In eukaryotes, messenger RNA (mRNA) is transcribed in the nucleus and must be exported into the cytoplasm to access the translation machinery. Although the nuclear export of mRNA has been studied extensively in Xenopus oocytes1 and genetically tractable organisms such as yeast2 and the Drosophila derived S2 cell line3, few studies had been conducted in mammalian cells. Furthermore the kinetics of mRNA export in mammalian somatic cells could only be inferred indirectly4,5. In order to measure the nuclear export kinetics of mRNA in mammalian tissue culture cells, we have developed an assay that employs the power of microinjection coupled with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). These assays have been used to demonstrate that in mammalian cells, the majority of mRNAs are exported in a splicing dependent manner6,7, or in manner that requires specific RNA sequences such as the signal sequence coding region (SSCR) 6. In this assay, cells are microinjected with either in vitro synthesized mRNA or plasmid DNA containing the gene of interest. The microinjected cells are incubated for various time points then fixed and the sub-cellular localization of RNA is assessed using FISH. In contrast to transfection, where transcription occurs several hours after the addition of nucleic acids, microinjection of DNA or mRNA allows for rapid expression and allows for the generation of precise kinetic data.

Here we describe an assay that employs the power of microinjection coupled with fluorescent in situ hybridization in order to accurately measure the nuclear export kinetics of mRNA in mammalian somatic cells.

אנליזה של קינטיקה mRNA גרעיני ייצוא בתאי יונקים ידי Microinjection

In eukaryotes, messenger RNA (mRNA) is transcribed in the nucleus and must be exported into the cytoplasm to access the translation machinery. Although ...

Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli

The efficient generation of genetic diversity represents an invaluable molecular tool that can be used to label DNA synthesis, to create unique molecular signatures, or to evolve proteins in the laboratory. Here, we present a protocol that allows the generation of large (>1011) mutant libraries for a given target sequence. This method is based on replication of a ColE1 plasmid encoding the desired sequence by a low-fidelity variant of DNA polymerase I (LF-Pol I). The target plasmid is transformed into a mutator strain of E. coli and plated on solid media, yielding between 0.2 and 1 mutations/kb, depending on the location of the target gene. Higher mutation frequencies are achieved by iterating this process of mutagenesis. Compared to alternative methods of mutagenesis, our protocol stands out for its simplicity, as no cloning or PCR are involved. Thus, our method is ideal for mutational labeling of plasmids or other Pol I templates or to explore large sections of sequence space for the evolution of activities not present in the original target. The tight spatial control that PCR or randomized oligonucleotide-based methods offer can also be achieved through subsequent cloning of specific sections of the library. Here we provide protocols showing how to create a random mutant library and how to establish drug-based selections in E. coli to identify mutants exhibiting new biochemical activities.

Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli

Here we demonstrate a simple protocol to create a random mutant library for a given target sequence. We show how this method, which is performed in vivo in Escherichia coli, can be coupled with functional selections to evolve new enzymatic activities.

בחירת הפרוטוקולים mutagenesis ו פונקציונאלי אבולוציה מכוונת של חלבונים א coli</em

The efficient generation of genetic diversity represents an invaluable molecular tool that can be used to label DNA synthesis, to create unique molecular ...

Analysis of Cell Cycle Position in Mammalian Cells

The regulation of cell proliferation is central to tissue morphogenesis during the development of multicellular organisms. Furthermore, loss of control of cell proliferation underlies the pathology of diseases like cancer. As such there is great need to be able to investigate cell proliferation and quantitate the proportion of cells in each phase of the cell cycle. It is also of vital importance to indistinguishably identify cells that are replicating their DNA within a larger population. Since a cell&prime;s decision to proliferate is made in the G1 phase immediately before initiating DNA synthesis and progressing through the rest of the cell cycle, detection of DNA synthesis at this stage allows for an unambiguous determination of the status of growth regulation in cell culture experiments.
DNA content in cells can be readily quantitated by flow cytometry of cells stained with propidium iodide, a fluorescent DNA intercalating dye. Similarly, active DNA synthesis can be quantitated by culturing cells in the presence of radioactive thymidine, harvesting the cells, and measuring the incorporation of radioactivity into an acid insoluble fraction. We have considerable expertise with cell cycle analysis and recommend a different approach. We Investigate cell proliferation using bromodeoxyuridine/fluorodeoxyuridine (abbreviated simply as BrdU) staining that detects the incorporation of these thymine analogs into recently synthesized DNA. Labeling and staining cells with BrdU, combined with total DNA staining by propidium iodide and analysis by flow cytometry1 offers the most accurate measure of cells in the various stages of the cell cycle. It is our preferred method because it combines the detection of active DNA synthesis, through antibody based staining of BrdU, with total DNA content from propidium iodide. This allows for the clear separation of cells in G1 from early S phase, or late S phase from G2/M. Furthermore, this approach can be utilized to investigate the effects of many different cell stimuli and pharmacologic agents on the regulation of progression through these different cell cycle phases.
In this report we describe methods for labeling and staining cultured cells, as well as their analysis by flow cytometry. We also include experimental examples of how this method can be used to measure the effects of growth inhibiting signals from cytokines such as TGF-&beta;1, and proliferative inhibitors such as the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor, p27KIP1. We also include an alternate protocol that allows for the analysis of cell cycle position in a sub-population of cells within a larger culture5. In this case, we demonstrate how to detect a cell cycle arrest in cells transfected with the retinoblastoma gene even when greatly outnumbered by untransfected cells in the same culture. These examples illustrate the many ways that DNA staining and flow cytometry can be utilized and adapted to investigate fundamental questions of mammalian cell cycle control.

Determining the cell cycle position of a population of cells, or understanding how signals affect proliferation, can be readily measured by flow cytometry using this protocol. We report a simple experimental approach to staining cells and quantifying their position in the cell cycle.

ניתוח של עמדת מחזור התא בתאי יונקים

The regulation of cell proliferation is central to tissue morphogenesis during the development of multicellular organisms. Furthermore, loss of control of ...

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is essential for proper morphogenesis during development. Misregulation of this process has been implicated as a key event in fibrosis and the progression of carcinomas to a metastatic state. Understanding the processes that underlie EMT is imperative for the early diagnosis and clinical control of these disease states. Reliable induction of EMT in vitro is a useful tool for drug discovery as well as to identify common gene expression signatures for diagnostic purposes. Here we demonstrate a straightforward method for the induction of EMT in a variety of cell types. Methods for the analysis of cells pre- and post-EMT induction by immunocytochemistry are also included. Additionally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this method through antibody-based array analysis and migration/invasion assays.

A straightforward method is described for the induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a variety of cell types. Methods for the analysis of cells in EMT states by immunocytochemistry are included.

אינדוקציה וניתוח של אפיתל לmesenchymal מעבר

Epithelial  to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is essential for proper morphogenesis during  development. Misregulation of this  process has been implicated ...

Isolation and Functional Analysis of Mitochondria from Cultured Cells and Mouse Tissue

Comparison between two or more distinct groups, such as healthy vs. disease, is necessary to determine cellular status. Mitochondria are at the nexus of cell heath due to their role in both cell metabolism and energy production as well as control of apoptosis. Therefore, direct evaluation of isolated mitochondria and mitochondrial perturbation offers the ability to determine if organelle-specific (dys)function is occurring. The methods described in this protocol include isolation of intact, functional mitochondria from HEK cultured cells and mouse liver and spinal cord, but can be easily adapted for use with other cultured cells or animal tissues. Mitochondrial function assessed by TMRE and the use of common mitochondrial uncouplers and inhibitors in conjunction with a fluorescent plate reader allow this protocol not only to be versatile and accessible to most research laboratories, but also offers high throughput.

Comparison of mitochondrial membrane potential between samples yields valuable information about cellular status. Detailed steps for isolating mitochondria and assessing response to inhibitors and uncouplers using fluorescence are described. The method and utility of this protocol are illustrated by use of a cell culture and animal model of cellular stress.

בידוד וניתוח פונקציונלי של המיטוכונדריה מתאים בתרבית ורקמות עכבר

Comparison between two or more distinct groups, such as healthy vs. disease, is necessary to determine cellular status. Mitochondria are at the nexus of ...