Name: quantitative immunofluorescence to measure global localized translation
Uploaded: 2017-08-22T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Quantitative Immunofluorescence to Measure Global Localized Translation at JoVE.com

We thank Dr. Rachid Mazroui (Universit&#233; Laval, Qu&#233;bec, Canada) for the critical reading of the manuscript. We thank the Cell Imaging Unit of the Research Center for their technical assistance. M.-&#201;. Huot is a Junior 1 Research Scholar of the Fonds de Recherche du Qu&#233;bec-Sant&#233; (FRQ-S). This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (grant number CIHR, MOP-286437 to M.-&#201;. Huot).

1. Determination of Puromycilation Conditions
NOTE: This technique describes the method used to assess localized translation during the MRC-5 cell adhesion process5. As puromycilation can be done in any cell, it is important to optimize the puromycilation conditions for the specific cell lines to be used, because the treatment conditions are not identical for each cell line in terms of the puromycin concentration and the desired incubation time. To show how these conditio...

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D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanism+of+puromycin+action:+fate+of+ribosomes+after+release+of+nascent+protein+chains+from+polysomes.">Mechanism of puromycin action: fate of ribosomes after release of nascent protein chains from polysomes.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 70, 3866-3869 (1973).</li><li>Goodman, C. A., Hornberger, T. 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J., Rossoll, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spinal+muscular+atrophy:+the+role+of+SMN+in+axonal+mRNA+regulation.">Spinal muscular atrophy: the role of SMN in axonal mRNA regulation.</a> Brain Res. 1462, 81-92 (2012).</li><li>Costa-Mattioli, M., 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=Translational+control+of+hippocampal+synaptic+plasticity+and+memory+by+the+eIF2alpha+kinase+GCN2.">Translational control of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory by the eIF2alpha kinase GCN2.</a> Nature. 436, 1166-1173 (2005).</li><li>Costa-Mattioli, M., Sossin, W. 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P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Why+cells+move+messages:+the+biological+functions+of+mRNA+localization.">Why cells move messages: the biological functions of mRNA localization.</a> Semin Cell Dev Biol. 18, 171-177 (2007).</li><li>Ephrussi, A., St Johnston, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seeing+is+believing:+the+bicoid+morphogen+gradient+matures.">Seeing is believing: the bicoid morphogen gradient matures.</a> Cell. 116, 143-152 (2004).</li><li>Mardakheh, F. 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R., 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=Premature+translational+termination+products+are+rapidly+degraded+substrates+for+MHC+class+I+presentation.">Premature translational termination products are rapidly degraded substrates for MHC class I presentation.</a> PLoS One. 7, e51968 (2012).</li><li>Schneider-Poetsch, 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=Inhibition+of+eukaryotic+translation+elongation+by+cycloheximide+and+lactimidomycin.">Inhibition of eukaryotic translation elongation by cycloheximide and lactimidomycin.</a> Nat Chem Biol. 6, 209-217 (2010).</li><li>Jacobs, J. P., Jones, C. M., Baille, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characteristics+of+a+human+diploid+cell+designated+MRC-5.">Characteristics of a human diploid cell designated MRC-5.</a> Nature. 227, 168-170 (1970).</li><li>Gandin, V., 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=Polysome+fractionation+and+analysis+of+mammalian+translatomes+on+a+genome-wide+scale.">Polysome fractionation and analysis of mammalian translatomes on a genome-wide scale.</a> J Vis Exp. (87), (2014).</li></ol>

Recent technological advances have allowed for a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in translational upregulation or the repression of specific mRNAs in biological processes, such as neuronal development, drug response, and metastasis. The cost-effective methodology described here allows translation events to be visualized in cells to study how RNA-binding proteins regulate metastatic processes, such as cellular adhesion, migration, and invasion.
Although numerous methods to asses...

The regulation of translation by different cellular functions has prompted many research teams to develop new tools and methods to determine the subcellular localization of mRNA translation and regulated protein synthesis1,2,3,4. These recent technological advances allow for an improved understanding of the mechanisms involving translation upregulation or the repression of specific mRNAs during biological processes, such as neuronal development, drug response, and metastasis5,6,7,8. However, most of these methods require expensive or hazardous reagents and specific equipment that might not be available to most laboratories. As such, a cost-effective method to allow for the rapid assessment of translation events was developed to specifically circumvent these potential issues. This method detects acute translational modulations that occur during specific cellular processes and also allows for the localization of translation using confocal microscopy.
The methods described here were used to monitor localized translation within subcellular compartments called spreading initiation centers (SIC)5. SICs are transient structures found in seeded cells that are localized on top of nascent adhesion complexes. Although SICs and adhesion complexes are distinct, their fates are closely linked. Indeed, SICs are known to gradually disappear upon focal adhesion complex maturation into an adhesion site during the initial phase of adhesion. We found that RNA-binding proteins known to specifically control mRNA translation (e.g., Sam68, FMRP, and G3BP1) and polyadenylated RNAs were enriched within these structures5. Using the methods described here, we showed that the regulation of SIC-associated mRNA translation acts as a checkpoint allowing seeded cells to consolidate cell adhesion. This method, based on puromycin incorporation, could be considered an adapted version of the surface sensing of translation assay (SunSET). Originally developed to measure global protein synthesis rates using a non-radioactively labeled amino acid, protein puromycilation offers an efficient way to visualize de novo protein synthesis9. This method relies on the intrinsic behavior of puromycin, an antibiotic that blocks translation through premature chain termination in the ribosome10. Indeed, puromycin is structurally analogous to tyrosyl-tRNA, which allows for incorporation into elongating peptide chains via the formation of a peptide bond. However, puromycin binding to a growing peptide chain prevents a new peptide bond from being formed with the next aminoacyl-tRNA, since puromycin has a non-hydrolysable amide bond instead of the hydrolysable ester bond found in tRNAs. Thus, the incorporation of puromycin into elongating polypeptides results in the premature release of numerous truncated puromycilated polypeptides corresponding to actively translated mRNA9,11,12.
Using this method, it was possible to assess active translation within a short time widow (e.g., 5 min) during cellular adhesion using a specific antibody directed against puromycin on cells that were supplemented with the antibiotic for 5-min periods at different time points during the cell adhesion process5. The precision of this assay relies on highly specific antibodies directed against the puromycilated moiety. Immunofluorescent detection of the puromycilated polypeptide provides a general subcellular repartition of the newly translated mRNA, which can also be quantified with great accuracy using confocal imaging systems.
Hence, this method offers a relevant option for a large number of laboratories studying translational regulatory mechanisms involved in processes such as neuronal granulation6,13,14,15, morphogen mRNA localization, and translation during development16,17. It is also well suited to studying localized or compartmentalized translation during rapid biological events, such as cell migration, adhesion, or invasion, or to simply assess drug treatments that might induce translational changes5,7,18. Overall, this method allows for the visualization of localized or controlled translation events in a rapid, precise, and cost-effective way.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>wisent</td>
			<td>319-005-CL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsine</td>
			<td>wisent</td>
			<td>325-043 EL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>12483020</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Puroycin antibody 12D10</td>
			<td>EMD millipore</td>
			<td>MABE343</td>
			<td>western blot dilution 1:25000 
			Immunofluoresence dilution 1:10000</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-mouse IgG, HRP-linked Antibody</td>
			<td>cell signaling technology</td>
			<td>7076</td>
			<td>western blot dilution 1:8000</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Western Lightning Plus-ECL</td>
			<td>Perkin Elmer</td>
			<td>NEL104001EA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-mouse IgG (H+L), F(ab&#39;)2 Fragment (Alexa Fluor 488 Conjugate)</td>
			<td>cell signaling technology</td>
			<td>4408</td>
			<td>immunofluoresecence dilution 1:400</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CF568 Phalloidin</td>
			<td>biotium</td>
			<td>00044</td>
			<td>immunofluoresecence dilution 1:400</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cyclohexmide</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C1988-1G</td>
			<td>50&#181;g/ml final concentration</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAPI (4&#39;,6-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole, Dihydrochloride)</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>D1306</td>
			<td>final concentration 1&#181;g/ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Puromycin</td>
			<td>bio-Basic</td>
			<td>PJ593</td>
			<td>2.5&#181;g/ml to 10&#181;g/ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ibidi &#181;-Dish 35 mm, high, ibiTreat</td>
			<td>Ibidi</td>
			<td>81156</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MRC-5 cells</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CCL-171</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HeLa cells</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CCL-2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Huh-7 cells</td>
			<td colspan="2">from Dr. Mazroui (Universit&#233; Laval)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fv1000</td>
			<td>olympus</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>confocal imaging system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fiji software</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>http://fiji.sc</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS (Phosphate BuffeRed Saline)</td>
			<td>bio-Basic</td>
			<td>PD8117</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Formaldehyde 37% Solution</td>
			<td>bio-Basic</td>
			<td>C5300-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>bio-Basic</td>
			<td>TB0198</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>Fisher Bioreagents</td>
			<td>BP9702-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tween20</td>
			<td>Fisher Bioreagents</td>
			<td>BP337-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

quantitative immunofluorescence to measure global localized translation

The mechanisms regulating mRNA translation are involved in various biological processes, such as germ line development, cell differentiation, and organogenesis, as well as in multiple diseases. Numerous publications have convincingly shown that specific mechanisms tightly regulate mRNA translation. Increased interest in the translation-induced regulation of protein expression has led to the development of novel methods to study and follow de novo protein synthesis in cellulo. However, most of these methods are complex, making them costly and often limiting the number of mRNA targets that can be studied. This manuscript proposes a method that requires only basic reagents and a confocal fluorescence imaging system to measure and visualize the changes in mRNA translation that occur in any cell line under various conditions. This method was recently used to show localized translation in the subcellular structures of adherent cells over a short period of time, thus offering the possibility of visualizing de novo translation for a short period during a variety of biological processes or of validating changes in translational activity in response to specific stimuli.

To accurately observe translation events using puromycin incorporation, it is critical to determine the optimal conditions for each cell line because each shows different puromycin incorporation kinetics (Figure 1)9,11,12,18. Hence, to validate puromycin incorporation, it is necessary to treat the desired cell line with a standardiz...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Quantitative Immunofluorescence to Measure Global Localized Translation at JoVE.com

Quantitative Immunofluorescence to Measure Global Localized Translation

This manuscript describes a method to visualize and quantify localized translation events in subcellular compartments. The approach proposed in this manuscript requires a basic confocal imaging system and reagents and is rapid and cost-effective.

The mechanisms regulating mRNA translation are involved in various biological processes, such as germ line development, cell differentiation, and ...

The overall goal of this experiment is to visualize and quantify compartmentalized translation events taking place during the initial steps of cell adhesion. This method has broad application. Use it whenever rapid specific translation response might be assay such as when analyzing cell migration, adhesion, or early drug response.The main advantage of this technique are that, it is easy, rapid, and cost-effective. It only requires puromycin, antibodies directed against puromycin, and the standard confocal scan imaging system. To begin, make a suspension of MRC-5 cells.Use Trypsinization, followed by centrifugation, removal of the supernatant, then resuspension in DMEM with ten percent FBS, at 40 thousand cells per milliliter. Incubate the suspension with gentle rotation for 20 minutes to completely dissociate the focal adhesion complexes. This is critical.Next, into two 35 millimeter glass-bottom dishes, add two milliliter aliquots suspension, and incubate them to allow for cellular adhesion and SiC formation. After 40 minutes, treat one plate with cycloheximide, and return it to the incubator. This plate will function as the negative control.After 55 minutes, apply puromycin to both plates at the predetermined concentration, and incubate the plates for five more minutes. After one hour of seeding and five minutes of puromycin in cooperation, wash each plate twice with two milliliters of ice-cold PBS. Then fix the cells with one milliliter of four percent formaldehyde in PBS for 15 minutes at room temperature.After the fixation, wash the cells three times with PBS, then permeabelize the cells using 500 microliters of 0.5 percent triton X-100 in PBS for 20 minutes at room temperature. Next, wash the plates three times with PBS, and then apply 500 microliters of one percent BSA in PBS. Continue the room temperature incubation for 20 more minutes.To remove excess BSA, wash the cells three times with 0.1 percent Tween-20 in PBS. Now, incubate the cells with 300 microliters of anti-puromycin antibody. Remove the unbound antibody using three washes with 0.1 percent Tween-20.Next, apply three hundred microliters of a mixture of two fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibodies to visualize puromycolated polypeptides and de factem. Incubate the cells for an hour at room temperature in the dark. After an hour, wash the plates three times to remove the unbound antibodies and then apply three hundred microliters of 0.1 percent Tween-20 solution, supplemented with DAPI.Allow the DAPI to stay in the cells for five minutes at room temperature. Finally, wash the cells four more times, finishing with a wash in pure PBS. Then, store the cells in two milliliters of PBS for imaging.Using any commercially available confocal imaging system, first determine the appropriate settings that maximize the dynamic range for quantification. Focus on quantification can only be obtained if peak size saturation is avoid and the concentration is adjusted properly. The setting can be attained by carefully adjusting the laser power advantage and offsets.First, adjust the zoom factor and the number of pixels to optimize the pixel size. Do so according to the Nyquist theorem. Next, decrease the scan speed and use averaging to improve the signal to noise ratio.Then, manually determine the appropriate top and bottom focal planes along the Z axis, and set the StepSize by calculating the axial resolution and dividing this distance by 2.3. The typical result is 20 to 25 image layers. Once the settings are tweaked, acquire a confocal image of an entire single cell using a 60x Plan Apo oil-immersion objective with a 1.42 numerical aperture.To quantify and analyze the flurophore signals, first open an image corresponding to the z plane layer of interest in image J.Then, using the drawing tool, make a line through the cell where quantification is desired. Next, modify the line whiff by double-clicking on straight. The intensity values will be averaged through the width of the line, so use a thinner line to avoid signal overlap from different structures.Then, profile the signal density along the line. Now, repeat the process of collecting the signal density along the same line in the channel that corresponds to a flurophore. The values will always be ordered using the orientation of the line.Now, copy the profile data and paste it in a spreadsheet for analysis. Repeat this process of collecting data from every Z plane image of interest before proceeding with the statistical analysis. Alternatively, instead of collecting signal along an axis, signal can be collected from an area of the image.First use the geometrical form function to select a region of interest. Next, adjust the threshold level to avoid any background. In the histogram of pixel intensities, move the slider to adjust which pixels will be included in the quantification.Set the threshold to eliminate all the red pixels outside the cell. Now, define the measurement parameters needed to measure the signal of interest and not background signal. Toggle the limit to threshold and integrated density options.Next, use the measure command. This will open a new window with the mean gray values and pixel count in the selected area. Now repeat the process, applying the same threshold to determine the signal intensity in the entire cell.Then use this data to calculate the ratio of signal in the selected area to that of the whole cell. For accurate measurement of translation events using purmycin-incorporation, the optimal conditions for an axial measurement were first assessed. A spectrum of concentrations versus a five or ten minute treatment was compared.The acceptable puromycin concentration for MRC-5 and HeLa cells was a little higher than what is needed for Huh-7 cells. Cells treated for ten minutes with high puromycin concentrations generated mostly smaller puromycolated polypeptides. The smaller polypeptides defused more rapidly, and are not desirable.The shorter incubation time was thus deemed more desirable. Cycloheximide treatment is an effective and important negative control. In MRC-5 cells, only a weak puromycin signal was detected after treatment with cycloheximide.Using axial signal quantification, the general localization of puromycolated polypeptides corresponding to newly-synthesized proteins could be assessed at different levels within the cell. A quantitative distribution of the signal throughout the cell was also feasible. For either technique, it was important to quantify the signal for every Z plane in the image stack to accurate assess translation events in a whole cell.After watching this video, you should have a good understanding on how to evaluate translation event in sub-cellular compartment. Once mastered, this technique can be done within a day, if performed properly. When one thinks this procedure, it's important to remember that the concentration of puromycin and its incubation time is important.To limit the diffusion, it is preferable to limit the incubation time. It is also important to recognize that the quality of the image acquisition type is a critical to obtain good results. Don't forget that working with formaldehyde can be extremely dangerous and precautions such as working in a chemical hood should always be taken while performing this procedure.

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Biochemistry

Genome-wide Quantification of Translation in Budding Yeast by Ribosome Profiling

Translation of mRNA into proteins is a complex process involving several layers of regulation. It is often assumed that changes in mRNA transcription reflect changes in protein synthesis, but many exceptions have been observed. Recently, a technique called ribosome profiling (or Ribo-Seq) has emerged as a powerful method that allows identification, with high accuracy, which regions of mRNA are translated into proteins and quantification of translation at the genome-wide level. Here, we present a generalized protocol for genome-wide quantification of translation using Ribo-Seq in budding yeast. In addition, combining Ribo-Seq data with mRNA abundance measurements allows us to simultaneously quantify translation efficiency of thousands of mRNA transcripts in the same sample and compare changes in these parameters in response to experimental manipulations or in different physiological states. We describe a detailed protocol for generation of ribosome footprints using nuclease digestion, isolation of intact ribosome-footprint complexes via sucrose gradient fractionation, and preparation of DNA libraries for deep sequencing along with appropriate quality controls necessary to ensure accurate analysis of in vivo translation.

Translational regulation plays an important role in the control of protein abundance. Here, we describe a high-throughput method for quantitative analysis of translation in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Translation of mRNA into proteins is a complex process involving several layers of regulation. It is often assumed that changes in mRNA transcription ...

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs

Translation initiation is the rate-limiting step of protein synthesis and represents a key point at which cells regulate their protein output. Regulation of protein synthesis is the key to cellular stress-response, and dysregulation is central to many disease states, such as cancer. For instance, although cellular stress leads to the inhibition of global translation by attenuating cap-dependent initiation, certain stress-response proteins are selectively translated in a cap-independent manner. Discreet RNA regulatory elements, such as cellular internal ribosome entry sites (IRESes), allow for the translation of these specific mRNAs. Identification of such mRNAs, and the characterization of their regulatory mechanisms, have been a key area in molecular biology. Toeprinting is a method for the study of RNA structure and function as it pertains to translation initiation. The goal of toeprinting is to assess the ability of in vitro transcribed RNA to form stable complexes with ribosomes under a variety of conditions, in order to determine which sequences, structural elements, or accessory factors are involved in ribosome binding&#8212;a pre-cursor for efficient translation initiation. Alongside other techniques, such as western analysis and polysome profiling, toeprinting allows for a robust characterization of mechanisms for the regulation of translation initiation.

Toeprinting aims to measure the ability of in vitro transcribed RNA to form translation initiation complexes with ribosomes under a variety of conditions. This protocol describes a method for toeprinting mammalian RNA and can be used to study both cap-dependent and IRES-driven translation.

Translation initiation is the rate-limiting step of protein synthesis and represents a key point at which cells regulate their protein output. Regulation ...

Use of Microscale Thermophoresis to Measure Protein-Lipid Interactions

The ability to determine the binding affinity of lipids to proteins is an essential part of understanding protein-lipid interactions in membrane trafficking, signal transduction and cytoskeletal remodeling. Classic tools for measuring such interactions include surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). While powerful tools, these approaches have setbacks. ITC requires large amounts of purified protein as well as lipids, which can be costly and difficult to produce. Furthermore, ITC as well as SPR are very time consuming, which could add significantly to the cost of performing these experiments. One way to bypass these restrictions is to use the relatively new technique of microscale thermophoresis (MST). MST is fast and cost effective using small amounts of sample to obtain a saturation curve for a given binding event. There currently are two types of MST systems available. One type of MST requires labeling with a fluorophore in the blue or red spectrum. The second system relies on the intrinsic fluorescence of aromatic amino acids in the UV range. Both systems detect the movement of molecules in response to localized induction of heat from an infrared laser. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. Label-free MST can use untagged native proteins; however, many analytes, including pharmaceuticals, fluoresce in the UV range, which can interfere with determination of accurate KD values. In comparison, labeled MST allows for a greater diversity of measurable pairwise interactions utilizing fluorescently labeled probes attached to ligands with measurable absorbances in the visible range as opposed to UV, limiting the potential for interfering signals from analytes.

Microscale thermophoresis obtains binding constants quickly at low material cost. Either labeled or label free microscale thermophoresis is commercially available; however, label free thermophoresis is not capable of the diversity of interaction measurements that can be performed using fluorescent labels. We provide a protocol for labeled thermophoresis measurements.

The ability to determine the binding affinity of lipids to proteins is an essential part of understanding protein-lipid interactions in membrane ...

Ubiquitin Chain Analysis by Parallel Reaction Monitoring

Assessment of the global profile of ubiquitin chain topologies within a proteome is of interest to answer a wide range of biological questions. The protocol outlined here takes advantage of the di-glycine (-GG) modification left after the tryptic digestion of ubiquitin incorporated in a chain. By quantifying these topology-characteristic peptides the relative abundance of each ubiquitin chain topology can be determined. The steps required to quantify these peptides by a parallel reaction monitoring experiment are reported taking into consideration the stabilization of ubiquitin chains. Preparation of heavy controls, cell lysis, and digestion are described along with the appropriate mass spectrometer setup and data analysis workflow. An example data set with perturbations in ubiquitin topology is presented, accompanied by examples of how optimization of the protocol can affect results. By following the steps outlined, a user will be able to perform a global assessment of the ubiquitin topology landscape within their biological context.

This method describes the assessment of global changes in ubiquitin chain topology. The assessment is performed by the application of a mass spectrometry-based targeted proteomics approach.

Assessment of the global profile of ubiquitin chain topologies within a proteome is of interest to answer a wide range of biological questions. The ...

Nonradioactive Assay to Measure Polynucleotide Phosphorylation of Small Nucleotide Substrates

Polynucleotide kinases (PNKs) are enzymes that catalyze the phosphorylation of the 5&#39; hydroxyl end of DNA and RNA oligonucleotides. The activity of PNKs can be quantified using direct or indirect approaches. Presented here is a direct, in vitro approach to measure PNK activity that relies on a fluorescently-labeled oligonucleotide substrate and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This approach provides resolution of the phosphorylated products while avoiding the use of radiolabeled substrates. The protocol details how to set up the phosphorylation reaction, prepare and run large polyacrylamide gels, and quantify the reaction products. The most technically challenging part of this assay is pouring and running the large polyacrylamide gels; thus, important details to overcome common difficulties are provided. This protocol was optimized for Grc3, a PNK that assembles into an obligate pre-ribosomal RNA processing complex with its binding partner, the Las1 nuclease. However, this protocol can be adapted to measure the activity of other PNK enzymes. Moreover, this assay can also be modified to determine the effects of different components of the reaction, such as the nucleoside triphosphate, metal ions, and oligonucleotides.

This protocol describes a nonradioactive assay to measure kinase activity of polynucleotide kinases (PNKs) on small DNA and RNA substrates.

Polynucleotide kinases (PNKs) are enzymes that catalyze the phosphorylation of the 5&#39; hydroxyl end of DNA and RNA oligonucleotides. The activity of ...

Optical Tweezers to Study RNA-Protein Interactions in Translation Regulation

RNA adopts diverse structural folds, which are essential for its functions and thereby can impact diverse processes in the cell. In addition, the structure and function of an RNA can be modulated by various trans-acting factors, such as proteins, metabolites or other RNAs. Frameshifting RNA molecules, for instance, are regulatory RNAs located in coding regions, which direct translating ribosomes into an alternative open reading frame, and thereby act as gene switches. They may also adopt different folds after binding to proteins or other trans-factors. To dissect the role of RNA-binding proteins in translation and how they modulate RNA structure and stability, it is crucial to study the interplay and mechanical features of these RNA-protein complexes simultaneously.&#160;This work illustrates how to employ single-molecule-fluorescence-coupled optical tweezers to explore the conformational and thermodynamic landscape of RNA-protein complexes at a high resolution. As an example, the interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 programmed ribosomal frameshifting element with the trans-acting factor short isoform of zinc-finger antiviral protein is elaborated. In addition, fluorescence-labeled ribosomes were monitored using the confocal unit, which would ultimately enable the study of translation elongation. The fluorescence coupled OT assay can be widely applied to explore diverse RNA-protein complexes or trans-acting factors regulating translation and could facilitate studies of RNA-based gene regulation.

This protocol presents a complete experimental workflow for studying RNA-protein interactions using optical tweezers. Several possible experimental setups are outlined including the combination of optical tweezers with confocal microscopy.

RNA adopts diverse structural folds, which are essential for its functions and thereby can impact diverse processes in the cell. In addition, the ...

Dual-Color Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy to Study Protein-Protein Interaction and Protein Dynamics in Live Cells

We present a protocol and workflow to perform live cell dual-color fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) combined with F&#246;rster Resonance Energy transfer (FRET) to study membrane receptor dynamics in live cells using modern fluorescence labeling techniques. In dual-color FCCS, where the fluctuations in fluorescence intensity represent the dynamic &#34;fingerprint&#34; of the respective fluorescent biomolecule, we can probe co-diffusion or binding of the receptors. FRET, with its high sensitivity to molecular distances, serves as a well-known &#34;nanoruler&#34; to monitor intramolecular changes. Taken together, conformational changes and key parameters such as local receptor concentrations and mobility constants become accessible in cellular settings.
Quantitative fluorescence approaches are challenging in cells due to high noise levels and the vulnerability of the sample. Here we show how to perform this experiment, including the calibration steps using dual-color labeled &#946;2-adrenergic receptor (&#946;2AR) labeled with eGFP and SNAP-tag-TAMRA. A step-by-step data analysis procedure is provided using open-source software and templates that are easy to customize.
Our guideline enables researchers to unravel molecular interactions of biomolecules in live cells in situ with high reliability despite the limited signal-to-noise levels in live cell experiments. The operational window of FRET and particularly FCCS at low concentrations allows quantitative analysis at near-physiological conditions.

We present an experimental protocol and data analysis workflow to perform live cell dual-color fluorescence cross correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) combined with F&#246;rster Resonance Energy transfer (FRET) to study membrane receptor dynamics in live cells using modern fluorescence labeling techniques.

We present a protocol and workflow to perform live cell dual-color fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) combined with F&#246;rster Resonance ...

Single-Molecule Imaging of EWS-FLI1 Condensates Assembling on DNA

The fusion genes resulting from chromosomal translocation have been found in many solid tumors or leukemia. EWS-FLI1, which belongs to the FUS/EWS/TAF15 (FET) family of fusion oncoproteins, is one of the most frequently involved fusion genes in Ewing sarcoma. These FET family fusion proteins typically harbor a low-complexity domain (LCD) of FET protein at their N-terminus and a DNA-binding domain (DBD) at their C-terminus. EWS-FLI1 has been confirmed to form biomolecular condensates at its target binding loci due to LCD-LCD and LCD-DBD interactions, and these condensates can recruit RNA polymerase II to enhance gene transcription. However, how these condensates are assembled at their binding sites remains unclear. Recently, a single-molecule biophysics method-DNA Curtains-was applied to visualize these assembling processes of EWS-FLI1 condensates. Here, the detailed experimental protocol and data analysis approaches are discussed for the application of DNA Curtains in studying the biomolecular condensates assembling on target DNA.

Here, we describe the use of the single-molecule imaging method, DNA Curtains, to study the biophysical mechanism of EWS-FLI1 condensates assembling on DNA.

The fusion genes resulting from chromosomal translocation have been found in many solid tumors or leukemia. EWS-FLI1, which belongs to the FUS/EWS/TAF15 ...

A Robust Single-Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM) Processing Workflow with cryoSPARC, RELION, and Scipion

Recent advances in both instrumentation and image processing software have made single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) the preferred method for structural biologists to determine high-resolution structures of a wide variety of macromolecules. Multiple software suites are available to new and expert users for image processing and structure calculation, which streamline the same basic workflow: movies acquired by the microscope detectors undergo correction for beam-induced motion and contrast transfer function (CTF) estimation. Next, particle images are selected and extracted from averaged movie frames for iterative 2D and 3D classification, followed by 3D reconstruction, refinement, and validation. Because various software packages employ different algorithms and require varying levels of expertise to operate, the 3D maps they generate often differ in quality and resolution. Thus, users regularly transfer data between a variety of programs for optimal results. This paper provides a guide for users to navigate a workflow across the popular software packages: cryoSPARC v3, RELION-3, and Scipion 3 to obtain a near-atomic resolution structure of the adeno-associated virus (AAV). We first detail an image processing pipeline with cryoSPARC v3, as its efficient algorithms and easy-to-use GUI allow users to quickly arrive at a 3D map. In the next step, we use PyEM and in-house scripts to convert and transfer particle coordinates from the best quality 3D reconstruction obtained in cryoSPARC v3 to RELION-3 and Scipion 3 and recalculate 3D maps. Finally, we outline steps for further refinement and validation of the resultant structures by integrating algorithms from RELION-3 and Scipion 3. In this article, we describe how to effectively utilize three processing platforms to create a single and robust workflow applicable to a variety of data sets for high-resolution structure determination.

A Robust Single-Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy cryo-EM Processing Workflow with cryoSPARC, RELION, and Scipion

This article describes how to effectively utilize three cryo-EM processing platforms, i.e., cryoSPARC v3, RELION-3, and Scipion 3, to create a single and robust workflow applicable to a variety of single-particle data sets for high-resolution structure determination.

Recent advances in both instrumentation and image processing software have made single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) the preferred method ...

F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer Mapping: A New Methodology to Elucidate Global Structural Features

F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is an established fluorescence-based method used to successfully measure distances in and between biomolecules in vitro as well as within cells. In FRET, the efficiency of energy transfer, measured by changes in fluorescence intensity or lifetime, relates to the distance between two fluorescent molecules or labels. Determination of dynamics and conformational changes from the distances are just some examples of applications of this method to biological systems. Under certain conditions, this methodology can add to and enhance existing X-ray crystal structures by providing information regarding dynamics, flexibility, and adaptation to binding surfaces. We describe the use of FRET and associated distance determinations to elucidate structural properties, through the identification of a binding site or the orientations of dimer subunits. Through judicious choice of labeling sites, and often employment of multiple labeling strategies, we have successfully applied these mapping methods to determine global structural properties in a protein-DNA complex and the SecA-SecYEG protein translocation system. In the SecA-SecYEG system, we have used FRET mapping methods to identify the preprotein-binding site and determine the local conformation of the bound signal sequence region. This study outlines the steps for performing FRET mapping studies, including identification of appropriate labeling sites, discussion of possible labels including non-native amino acid residues, labeling procedures, how to perform measurements, and interpreting the data.

F&amp;#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer Mapping: A New Methodology to Elucidate Global Structural Features

The study details the methodology of FRET mapping including the selection of labeling sites, choice of dyes, acquisition, and data analysis. This methodology is effective at determining binding sites, conformational changes, and dynamic motions in protein systems and is most useful if performed in conjunction with existing 3-D structural information.