We thank Yumeng (Helen) Xia (Rutgers University) for manuscript editing. The work on BASL polarity formation is supported by grants from the U.S. National Institute of General Medical Sciences to J.D. (R01GM109080) and Rutgers University.

1. Plasmid Construction
<ol>
	<li>Generate the constructs by cloning technology as previously described1,6.
	<ol>
		<li>First use a high fidelity DNA polymerase with appropriate primers to amplify the coding sequences of BASL, YDA and MPK6 and sub-clone them into entry vectors. Find the detailed protocol in 7.</li>
		<li>To generate the dominant negative versions of MPK6 and YDA (DNmpk68 and DNyda4, respectively), use the entry plasmids of MPK6 and YDA as template and introduce the point mutations by a site-directed mutagenesis method9.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>To build the constructs for tobacco transient assays, conduct standard LR (attL x attR recombination) reactions (detailed procedure in 7) to integrate BASL into pH35CG10, DNyda and DNmpk6 into pXNGW and pXCGW vectors11, respectively.
	<ol>
		<li>Confirm the resultant plasmids by enzyme digestion and sequencing. Once successful, transform the binary constructs into the Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV310112 and grow them on selection plates at 28 &#176;C for 2 - 3 days.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Preparation of the Agrobacterium Infiltration Solution
<ol>
	<li>Inoculate a few freshly transformed Agrobacterium colonies into 10 ml of Luria-Bertani (LB) medium with appropriate antibiotics (Gentamycin 25 &#956;g/ml, Rifamycin 25 &#956;g/ml,&#160; Spectinomycin 100 &#956;g/ml for pH35CG, pXNGW and pXCGW constructs; the same concentrations of Gentamycin and Rifamycin with Kanamycin 50 &#956;g/ml for P19 (expressing proteins against transgenic silencing)13.</li>
	<li>Grow Agrobacterium cultures in a 28 &#176;C shaker at the speed of 200 rpm for about 16 hr and then measure the OD600 (estimated to reach 1.5 - 1.8) (Figure 2A-B). Spin down the cultures at 2,500 x g for 10 min. Re-suspend and wash the cell pellets with 10 mM of MgCl2 (the infiltration solution).</li>
	<li>Spin down the cultures again and re-suspend the pellets with appropriate amount of the infiltration solution to reach the final OD600 = 0.5 (Figure 2C-D). Before infiltrating plants, leave the cell mixtures at room temperature for 1 - 3 hr. This step helps to maintain cell homeostasis.</li>
</ol>
3. Tobacco Plant and Leaf Injection
<ol>
	<li>Use tobacco plants (Nicotiana benthamiana), grown 4 - 5 week-old in a standard plant growth chamber (23 &#176;C with cycles of 16 hr-light/8 hr-dark)14 for leaf injection. 
	Note: At this stage, tobacco plants typically have 6 leaves (2 large, 2 medium, and 2 small). The two medium-sized leaves are the most optimal for leaf injection (the two large ones are too old, while the two small ones are often too young).</li>
	<li>Before the infiltration day, water the tobacco plants to saturate the soil.&#160;</li>
	<li>On the infiltration day, pre-incubate the plants in the dark for 1 - 3 hr. This step allows stomata in the epidermis to open widely, which greatly facilitates the Agrobacterium when penetrating into the leaf epidermal cells.</li>
	<li>Using color tapes labeled with dates, flag the leaves to be infiltrated. Mark the areas to be infiltrated with a black thick sharpie (optional; the infiltrated areas are visible after being infected.).</li>
	<li>Take equal volumes of the Agrobacterium re-suspension and mix them in a 100 x 15 mm Petri dish by gentle swirling (Figure 2E). Note: In our case, we mixed 1 ml of p19 with 1 ml of CFP-BASL, 1 ml of DNyda-nYFP and 1 ml of DNmpk-cYFP.</li>
	<li>In the process of infiltration, fill a 3 ml needleless syringe with the infiltration mixture (1 - 2 ml) and push into the bottom side (abaxial) of the tobacco leaf (Figure 2F). While infiltrating, it is helpful to use one hand to push and the other hand to gently support the upper side (adaxial, against the pushing force). 
	Note: Once the infiltration mixture is successfully injected, the infected areas will become easily recognizable in the epidermis. However, the infiltration may fail due to harsh injection (tissue damage) or insufficient push (no liquid penetration). For each test, we suggest at least two injections in two independent leaves (from different plants).</li>
	<li>Place the infected plants back into the growth chamber. Generally, protein expressions are detectable after 48 hr following infiltration.</li>
</ol>
4. Confocal Imaging&#160;
<ol>
	<li>At 48 hr post infiltration, use a hole puncher to excise a leaf disk from the injected area (normally 3 - 4 disks/area can be produced) (Figure 2G). Use tweezers to gently transfer the leaf disks to a slide (the abaxial side upward) and mount them with water drops. Avoid pressing too hard on the cover slip because squeezed/damaged cells will not show well under the confocal microscope (Figure 2H).</li>
	<li>Before confocal imaging, scan the mounted samples on an epi-fluorescent compound microscope to check the expression levels. Note: Based on our experience, the cells that show intermediate expression levels are best represented under the confocal microscope.</li>
	<li>Start with the 40X (NA 1.3) lens on a confocal microscope. Adjust the slide to the desired position so that the cells expressing medium levels of florescent protein remain at the center. The excitation/emission spectrums for CFP and YFP are 458 nm / 480 - 500 nm and 514 nm / 520 - 540 nm, respectively.</li>
	<li>Activate the &#34;Live&#34; button to preview the images then adjust laser intensity and smart gain for the most balanced fluorescence intensity/noise ratio. To improve imaging quality, increase scanning pixels and/or frame/line average. Finally, adjust the focusing knob to reach the median focal plane and click &#34;Capture&#34; to take the image. 
	Note: The CFP and YFP images can be captured sequentially or simultaneously by checking on or off the option of &#34;sequential&#34; scanning mode, respectively.</li>
	<li>When Z-projection is desired for the in-depth view of the cells, select &#34;xyz&#34; imaging mode, define the depth of the scanning range (10 - 15 &#181;m) and collect the images from the top to the bottom of the target cell. Compile the obtained images with the Leica software by right clicking on the image file to select &#34;rename&#34; and export images as .tiff files.</li>
	<li>Image 30 - 40 cells for quantification analysis.</li>
</ol>
5. Image Processing and Quantification Analysis
<ol>
	<li>Use Fiji software (http://fiji.sc/Fiji) to process images and conduct quantification.
	<ol>
		<li>Plot the fluorescence intensity graphs.
		<ol>
			<li>To better visualize whether the CFP/YFP expression is uniformly distributed, use Fiji to demonstrate the signal strength of CFP and YFP along the cell periphery. To achieve this, first launch Fiji then select &#34;File&#34; and &#34;Open&#34; to start the image. Click &#34;line&#34; on the tool menu and select &#34;Segmented line&#34; by right clicking. Decide the region of interest and draw a line along the cell periphery to trace the CFP or the YFP signal (Figure 3A-C). 
			Note: Fiji measures the absolute fluorescence intensity value along the segmented lines.</li>
			<li>Select the drop-down menu &#34;Analyze&#34; and &#34;Plot Profile&#34; to generate a graph with position and intensity values that represent the levels of CFP/YFP along the segmented line. If desired, duplicate the intensity values (by selecting the menu &#34;Copy&#34;) into EXCEL or other graphic software to generate comparable intensity graphs.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Quantify polarity degree.
		<ol>
			<li>Collect approximately 20 representative cells from 3 replicate experiments to evaluate the polarity degree of CFP and YFP in tobacco cells. Calculate the polarity degree based on the ratio of the high fluorescence intensity (defined as H) over the low fluorescence intensity (defined as L). Note: The quantification method is explained in Figure 3.
			<ol>
				<li>To measure the H and L values, draw a segmented line along the interested region at the cell periphery (described above), click &#34;Analyze&#34; from the drop-down menu, and then select &#34;Measure&#34;. When a &#34;Results&#34; window pops up, use &#34;Mean&#34; values to perform quantification.</li>
				<li>From the cells displaying relatively uniform expression of CFP and YFP, e.g., CFP-BASL (Figure 3A) or the YFP complemented from co-expression of DNyda-nYFP and DNmpk6-cYFP (Figure 3B), obtain the H and L values by measuring two randomly selected peripheral segments with equal length.</li>
				<li>From the cells exhibiting obvious polar accumulation of fluorescent proteins, in this case, the co-expression of CFP-BASL, DNyda-nYFP and DNmpk6-cYFP (Figure 3C), collect the H values from the peripheral regions with enriched fluorescence signals and the Ls from the regions with low/no fluorescence accumulation.</li>
				<li>Pool the resultant ratios of H/L from 20 cells together and test for normal distribution. Calculate the p values by the Student&#39;s t test (for normal distribution) or the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test (for non-normal distribution).</li>
			</ol>
			</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

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No conflicts of interest declared.

General Use and Possible Modifications of the Tobacco Transient Expression System for Signal Transduction: Overexpression of fluorescent protein (FP)-tagged proteins in the tobacco epidermis has been successfully used for fast examination of protein subcellular localization in plant cells. However, studying dynamic signaling distribution of protein complex in planta is a challenging topic due to complicated subcellular contexts, transient protein-protein interaction and signal transduction event...

Proteins interact within an intricate hierarchical network and form complexes that play a pivotal role in nearly all biological processes occurring in an unpredictable cellular environment. However, from plant development to growth responses, there has been a lack of convenient tools that can not only quickly but also efficiently identify and monitor these dynamic signaling events at the subcellular level.
The transient protein expression system in tobacco leaf epidermis has appealing advantages for visualizing fluorescent proteins in living cells. This system provides semi-in vivo conditions that allow post-translational protein modification and quick examination of protein localization. By examining the complemented YFP signal, the bimolecular fluorescent complementation (BiFC) assay informs the possibility of protein-protein interaction in plant cells. Compared to other methods, e.g., yeast-two hybrid (Y2H) and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), BiFC also provides a powerful means of visualizing compartments where protein-protein interactions may occur at the subcellular level.
Because asymmetric cell division (ACD) maintains stem cell population while generating new cell types for tissue/organ formation, it is an indispensable mechanism for promoting eukaryotic multicellularity. Arabidopsis stomatal development has been used as a model system for studying ACD in plants. The precursor cell, meristemoid mother cell, divides asymmetrically to produce two different daughter cells, a meristemoid (undergoes stem cell-like divisions before terminating into a pair of guard cells) and a stomatal lineage ground cell (SLGC) (may divide and differentiate into a pavement cell), respectively (Figure 1). In stomatal ACD, the novel protein Breaking of Asymmetry in the Stomatal Lineage (BASL) is polarized premitotically to drive division asymmetries, which include physical asymmetry and cell fate asymmetry1. A MAPK cascade composed of the MAPKKK YODA and the MAPKs, MPK3 and 6 is central for stomatal division patterning and fate adoption2,3, 4,5.
Recently, Zhang et al. linked the polarity protein BASL to the YDA-MAPK signaling pathway in Arabidopsis stomatal ACD 6. The canonical YODA-MAPK pathway, through MPK3/6, phosphorylates BASL and activates its polarization. Phosphorylated BASL functions as a scaffold and recruits YODA (YDA) and MPK3/6 to form a protein complex and concentrate the signaling at the cell cortex6. Polarization of the MAPK components and the positive feedback loop between BASL and the YDA-MAPK pathway represents a novel mechanism for protein polarization in plant cells. Locally enriched MAPK signaling is hypothesized to be closely linked to cell fate differentiation in stomatal ACD6 (Figure 1). One of the key experimental data that supported this model came from the tobacco assays that demonstrated the spatial redistribution of MAPKs induced by the expression of BASL6.
In general, it is not easy to monitor where MAPK signaling occurs because MAPK molecules were often found everywhere inside of a cell. In this study, we utilized the split-YFP system to visualize the interaction between the upstream kinase and downstream ones to suggest where the signaling relay occurs. We further extended the use of the BiFC system by co-expressing a third protein (CFP-tagged) with the split YFP pair (suggestive of protein-protein interaction) to visualize whether and how the complemented YFP could be spatially modulated by the co-expressed CFP protein. By doing so, we demonstrated that co-expression of CFP-BASL induced spatial reorganization of interactions between YDA and MPK6, from even distribution to polarized patterning at the cell cortex of the tobacco epidermal cells. This system therefore has the potential to be developed for monitoring dynamic signaling events in plant cells under conditions when cells are challenged by the internal or external stimuli (e.g., co-expression of other proteins, chemical application, pathogen attack or environmental changes, etc.).

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Phusion DNA polymerase</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>M0530S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pENTR/D/TOPO</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>K2400-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>QuickChange II XL Site-directed Mutagenesis Kit</td>
			<td>Agilent Technology</td>
			<td>200521</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LB broth</td>
			<td>AMRESCO</td>
			<td>J106-2KG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bacto Agar</td>
			<td>AMRESCO</td>
			<td>J673-1KG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentamycin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>G3632-1G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rifampicin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>R3501-1G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kanamycin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>K4000-25G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spectinomycin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S4014-5G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>M8266-100G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>25x75mm Slide</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>16004-382</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24x50 mm Cover glass</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>48393-241</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laser scanning confocal microscope</td>
			<td>Leica&#160;</td>
			<td>TCS SP5 II</td>
			<td>&#160;LAS AF Lite software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>40 x objective lens</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>HCX&#160;Plan APO&#160;</td>
			<td>HCX&#160;Plan APO&#160;, NA 1.30</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Centrifuge</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>SORVALL 6+</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hole puncher</td>
			<td>Staples</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 ml falcon tubes</td>
			<td>Genesee Scientific</td>
			<td>21-108</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>No. 5 Forceps</td>
			<td>Canemco &#38; Marivac</td>
			<td>205EQA-Spec</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

imaging spatial reorganization of a mapk signaling pathway using the tobacco transient expression system

Visualization of dynamic signaling events in live cells has been a challenge. We expanded an established transient expression system, the biomolecular fluorescent complementation (BiFC) assay in tobacco epidermal cells, from testing protein-protein interaction to monitoring spatial distribution of signal transduction in plant cells. In this protocol, we used the BiFC assay to show that the interaction and the signaling between the Arabidopsis MAPKKK YODA and MAPK6 occur at the plasma membrane. When the scaffold protein BASL was co-expressed, the YODA-MAPK interaction redistributed and spatially co-polarized with CFP-BASL. This modified tobacco expression system allows for quick examination of signaling localization and dynamic changes (less than 4 days) and can accommodate multiple of fluorescent protein colors (at least three). We also presented detailed methods to quantify protein distribution (asymmetric spatial localization, or &#34;polarization&#34;) in tobacco cells. This advanced tobacco expression system has a potential to be used widely for quick testing of dynamic signaling events in live plant cells.

To prevent cell death induced by the hyperactive MAPK signaling, the kinase inactive versions of YDA (DNyda) and MPK6 (DNmpk6) were used in the co-expression assay in tobacco cells. Neither the interaction between DNyda and DNmpk6 revealed by BiFC nor CFP-BASL itself generated uneven distribution pattern (Figure 3A-B). However, when CFP-BASL was introduced into the DNyda-DNmpk6 interaction pair, both CFP and YFP signals were redistributed to a highly polarized manner (<st...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Imaging Spatial Reorganization of a MAPK Signaling Pathway Using the Tobacco Transient Expression System at JoVE.com

Imaging Spatial Reorganization of a MAPK Signaling Pathway Using the Tobacco Transient Expression System

At the subcellular level, signaling events are dynamically modulated by developmental and environmental cues. Here we describe a protocol that employs the tobacco transient expression system to monitor dynamic protein-protein interaction and to disclose spatial organization of signal transduction in plant cells.

Visualization of dynamic signaling events in live cells has been a challenge. We expanded an established transient expression system, the biomolecular ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to visualize dynamic spatial distribution of protein

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JoVE Journal

Biology

9.7K Views.  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The overall goal of this procedure is to visualize dynamic spatial distribution of protein

Video: Imaging Spatial Reorganization of a MAPK Signaling Pathway Using the Tobacco Transient Expression System

Using the Gene Pulser MXcell Electroporation System to Transfect Primary Cells with High Efficiency

It is becoming increasingly apparent that electroporation is the most effective way to introduce plasmid DNA or siRNA into primary cells. The Gene Pulser MXcell electroporation system and Gene Pulser electroporation buffer (Bio-Rad) were specifically developed to easily transfect nucleic acids into mammalian cells and difficult-to-transfect cells, such as primary and stem cells. We will demonstrate how to perform a simple experiment to quickly identify the best electroporation conditions. We will demonstrate how to run several samples through a range of electroporation conditions so that an experiment can be conducted at the same time as optimization is performed. We will also show how optimal conditions identified using 96-well electroporation plates can be used with standard electroporation cuvettes, facilitating the switch from electroporation plates to electroporation cuvettes while maintaining the same electroporation efficiency. In the video, we will also discuss some of the key factors that can lead to the success or failure of electroporation experiments.

This procedure shows how to use the Gene Pulser MXcell electroporation system to rapidly and easily identify the best electroporation conditions for mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) or other primary cells. Considerations for troubleshooting are also discussed in the associated video.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that electroporation is the most effective way to introduce plasmid DNA or siRNA into primary cells. The Gene Pulser ...

Using an Automated Cell Counter to Simplify Gene Expression Studies: siRNA Knockdown of IL-4 Dependent Gene Expression in Namalwa Cells

The use of siRNA mediated gene knockdown is continuing to be an important tool in studies of gene expression.  siRNA studies are being conducted not only to study the effects of downregulating single genes, but also to interrogate signaling pathways and other complex interaction networks.  These pathway analyses require both the use of relevant cellular models and methods that cause less perturbation to the cellular physiology.  Electroporation is increasingly being used as an effective way to introduce siRNA and other nucleic acids into difficult to transfect cell lines and primary cells without altering the signaling pathway under investigation. There are multiple critical steps to a successful siRNA experiment, and there are ways to simplify the work while improving the data quality at several experimental stages.  To help you get started with your siRNA mediated gene knockdown project, we will demonstrate how to perform a pathway study complete from collecting and counting the cells prior to electroporation through post transfection real-time PCR gene expression analysis.  The following study investigates the role of the transcriptional activator STAT6 in IL-4 dependent gene expression of CCL17 in a Burkitt lymphoma cell line (Namalwa).  The techniques demonstrated are useful for a wide range of siRNA-based experiments on both adherent and suspension cells.  We will also show how to streamline cell counting with the TC10 automated cell counter, how to electroporate multiple samples simultaneously using the MXcell electroporation system, and how to simultaneously assess RNA quality and quantity with the Experion automated electrophoresis system.

This procedure describes a quick and easy workflow to introduce siRNA into difficult to transfect cell lines and follow gene expression by real-time PCR. Use of an automated cell counter, multi-well electroporation plate, and automated electrophoresis station provide quick and reliable results without the need for expensive robotic handling.

The use of siRNA mediated gene knockdown is continuing to be an important tool in studies of gene expression.  siRNA studies are being conducted not only ...

Paraffin-Embedded and Frozen Sections of Drosophila Adult Muscles

The molecular characterization of muscular dystrophies and myopathies in humans has revealed the complexity of muscle disease and genetic analysis of muscle specification, formation and function in model systems has provided valuable insight into muscle physiology. Therefore, identifying and characterizing molecular mechanisms that underlie muscle damage is critical. The structure of adult Drosophila multi-fiber muscles resemble vertebrate striated muscles 1 and the genetic tractability of Drosophila has made it a great system to analyze dystrophic muscle morphology and characterize the processes affecting muscular function in ageing adult flies 2. Here we present the histological technique for preparing paraffin-embedded and frozen sections of Drosophila thoracic muscles. These preparations allow for the tissue to be stained with classical histological stains and labeled with protein detecting dyes, and specifically cryosections are ideal for immunohistochemical detection of proteins in intact muscles. This allows for analysis of muscle tissue structure, identification of morphological defects, and detection of the expression pattern for muscle/neuron-specific proteins in Drosophila adult muscles. These techniques can also be slightly modified for sectioning of other body parts.

Paraffin-Embedded and Frozen Sections of Drosophila Adult Muscles

Identification of mechanisms underlying muscle damage is crucial. Here we present the histological technique for preparing paraffin-embedded and frozen sections of Drosophila thoracic muscles. This allows analysis of muscle morphology and localization of protein and other muscle cell components.

The molecular characterization of muscular dystrophies and myopathies in humans has revealed the complexity of muscle disease and genetic analysis of ...

Visualization of Caenorhabditis elegans Cuticular Structures Using the Lipophilic Vital Dye DiI

The cuticle of C. elegans is a highly resistant structure that surrounds the exterior of the animal1-4. The cuticle not only protects the animal from the environment, but also determines body shape and plays a role in motility4-6. Several layers secreted by epidermal cells comprise the cuticle, including an outermost lipid layer7.
Circumferential ridges in the cuticle called annuli pattern the length of the animal and are present during all stages of development8. Alae are longitudinal ridges that are present during specific stages of development, including L1, dauer, and adult stages2,9. Mutations in genes that affect cuticular collagen organization can alter cuticular structure and animal body morphology5,6,10,11. While cuticular imaging using compound microscopy with DIC optics is possible, current methods that highlight cuticular structures include fluorescent transgene expression12, antibody staining13, and electron microscopy1. Labeled wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) has also been used to visualize cuticular glycoproteins, but is limited in resolving finer cuticular structures14. Staining of cuticular surface using fluorescent dye has been observed, but never characterized in detail15. We present a method to visualize cuticle in live C. elegans using the red fluorescent lipophilic dye DiI (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate), which is commonly used in C. elegans to visualize environmentally exposed neurons. This optimized protocol for DiI staining is a simple, robust method for high resolution fluorescent visualization of annuli, alae, vulva, male tail, and hermaphrodite tail spike in C. elegans.

Visualization of Caenorhabditis elegans Cuticular Structures Using the Lipophilic Vital Dye DiI

We present a method to visualize cuticle in live C. elegans using the red fluorescent lipophilic dye DiI (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate), which is commonly used in C. elegans to visualize environmentally exposed neurons. With this optimized protocol, alae and annular cuticular structures are stained by DiI and observed using compound microscopy.

The cuticle of C. elegans is a highly resistant structure that surrounds the exterior of the animal1-4. The cuticle not only protects the animal from the ...

A High-content Imaging Workflow to Study Grb2 Signaling Complexes by Expression Cloning

Signal transduction by growth factor receptors is essential for cells to maintain proliferation and differentiation and requires tight control. Signal transduction is initiated by binding of an external ligand to a transmembrane receptor and activation of downstream signaling cascades. A key regulator of mitogenic signaling is Grb2, a modular protein composed of an internal SH2 (Src Homology 2) domain flanked by two SH3 domains that lacks enzymatic activity. Grb2 is constitutively associated with the GTPase Son-Of-Sevenless (SOS) via its N-terminal SH3 domain. The SH2 domain of Grb2 binds to growth factor receptors at phosphorylated tyrosine residues thus coupling receptor activation to the SOS-Ras-MAP kinase signaling cascade. In addition, other roles for Grb2 as a positive or negative regulator of signaling and receptor endocytosis have been described. The modular composition of Grb2 suggests that it can dock to a variety of receptors and transduce signals along a multitude of different pathways1-3.
	Described here is a simple microscopy assay that monitors recruitment of Grb2 to the plasma membrane. It is adapted from an assay that measures changes in sub-cellular localization of green-fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Grb2 in response to a stimulus4-6. Plasma membrane receptors that bind Grb2 such as activated Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) recruit GFP-Grb2 to the plasma membrane upon cDNA expression and subsequently relocate to endosomal compartments in the cell. In order to identify in vivo protein complexes of Grb2, this technique can be used to perform a genome-wide high-content screen based on changes in Grb2 sub-cellular localization. The preparation of cDNA expression clones, transfection and image acquisition are described in detail below. Compared to other genomic methods used to identify protein interaction partners, such as yeast-two-hybrid, this technique allows the visualization of protein complexes in mammalian cells at the sub-cellular site of interaction by a simple microscopy-based assay. Hence both qualitative features, such as patterns of localization can be assessed, as well as the quantitative strength of the interaction.

A high-content screening method for the identification of novel signaling competent transmembrane receptors is described. This method is amenable to large-scale automation and allows predictions about in vivo protein binding and the sub-cellular localization of protein complexes in mammalian cells.

Signal  transduction by growth factor receptors is essential for cells to maintain  proliferation and differentiation and requires tight control. Signal  ...

Efficient Agroinfiltration of Plants for High-level Transient Expression of Recombinant Proteins

Mammalian cell culture is the major platform for commercial production of human vaccines and therapeutic proteins. However, it cannot meet the increasing worldwide demand for pharmaceuticals due to its limited scalability and high cost. Plants have shown to be one of the most promising alternative pharmaceutical production platforms that are robust, scalable, low-cost and safe. The recent development of virus-based vectors has allowed rapid and high-level transient expression of recombinant proteins in plants. To further optimize the utility of the transient expression system, we demonstrate a simple, efficient and scalable methodology to introduce target-gene containing Agrobacterium into plant tissue in this study. Our results indicate that agroinfiltration with both syringe and vacuum methods have resulted in the efficient introduction of Agrobacterium into leaves and robust production of two fluorescent proteins; GFP and DsRed. Furthermore, we demonstrate the unique advantages offered by both methods. Syringe infiltration is simple and does not need expensive equipment. It also allows the flexibility to either infiltrate the entire leave with one target gene, or to introduce genes of multiple targets on one leaf. Thus, it can be used for laboratory scale expression of recombinant proteins as well as for comparing different proteins or vectors for yield or expression kinetics. The simplicity of syringe infiltration also suggests its utility in high school and college education for the subject of biotechnology. In contrast, vacuum infiltration is more robust and can be scaled-up for commercial manufacture of pharmaceutical proteins. It also offers the advantage of being able to agroinfiltrate plant species that are not amenable for syringe infiltration such as lettuce and Arabidopsis. Overall, the combination of syringe and vacuum agroinfiltration provides researchers and educators a simple, efficient, and robust methodology for transient protein expression. It will greatly facilitate the development of pharmaceutical proteins and promote science education.

Plants offer a novel system for the production of pharmaceutical proteins on a commercial scale that is more scalable, cost-efficient and safe than current expression paradigms. In this study, we report a simple and convenient, yet scalable approach to introduce target-gene containing Agrobacterium tumefaciens into plants for protein transient expression.

Mammalian cell culture is the major platform for commercial production of human vaccines and therapeutic proteins. However, it cannot meet the increasing ...

Temporal Quantification of MAPK Induced Expression in Single Yeast Cells

The quantification of gene expression at the single cell level uncovers novel regulatory mechanisms obscured in measurements performed at the population level. Two methods based on microscopy and flow cytometry are presented to demonstrate how such data can be acquired. The expression of a fluorescent reporter induced upon activation of the high osmolarity glycerol MAPK pathway in yeast is used as an example. The specific advantages of each method are highlighted. Flow cytometry measures a large number of cells (10,000) and provides a direct measure of the dynamics of protein expression independent of the slow maturation kinetics of the fluorescent protein. Imaging of living cells by microscopy is by contrast limited to the measurement of the matured form of the reporter in fewer cells. However, the data sets generated by this technique can be extremely rich thanks to the combinations of multiple reporters and to the spatial and temporal information obtained from individual cells. The combination of these two measurement methods can deliver new insights on the regulation of protein expression by signaling pathways.

Two complementary methods based on flow cytometry and microscopy are presented which enable the quantification, at the single cell level, of the dynamics of gene expression induced by the activation of a MAPK pathway in yeast.

The quantification of gene expression at the  single cell level uncovers novel regulatory mechanisms obscured in measurements  performed at the population ...

Transient Expression of Proteins by Hydrodynamic Gene Delivery in Mice

Efficient expression of transgenes in vivo is of critical importance in studying gene function and developing treatments for diseases. Over the past years, hydrodynamic gene delivery (HGD) has emerged as a simple, fast, safe and effective method for delivering transgenes into rodents. This technique relies on the force generated by the rapid injection of a large volume of physiological solution to increase the permeability of cell membranes of perfused organs and thus deliver DNA into cells. One of the main advantages of HGD is the ability to introduce transgenes into mammalian cells using naked plasmid DNA (pDNA). Introducing an exogenous gene using a plasmid is minimally laborious, highly efficient and, contrary to viral carriers, remarkably safe. HGD was initially used to deliver genes into mice, it is now used to deliver a wide range of substances, including oligonucleotides, artificial chromosomes, RNA, proteins and small molecules into mice, rats and, to a limited degree, other animals. This protocol describes HGD in mice and focuses on three key aspects of the method that are critical to performing the procedure successfully: correct insertion of the needle into the vein, the volume of injection and the speed of delivery. Examples are given to show the application of this method to the transient expression of two genes that encode secreted, primate-specific proteins, apolipoprotein L-I (APOL-I) and haptoglobin-related protein (HPR).

In vivo transfection of naked DNA by hydrodynamic gene delivery introduces genes into the tissue of an animal with minimal inflammatory response. Sufficient amounts of gene product are generated such that gene function and regulation as well as protein structure and function can be analyzed.

Efficient expression of transgenes in vivo is of critical importance in studying gene function and developing treatments for diseases. Over the past ...

Measurement of Metabolic Rate in Drosophila using Respirometry

Metabolic disorders are a frequent problem affecting human health. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that regulate metabolism is a crucial scientific task. Many disease causing genes in humans have a fly homologue, making Drosophila a good model to study signaling pathways involved in the development of different disorders. Additionally, the tractability of Drosophila simplifies genetic screens to aid in identifying novel therapeutic targets that may regulate metabolism. In order to perform such a screen a simple and fast method to identify changes in the metabolic state of flies is necessary. In general, carbon dioxide production is a good indicator of substrate oxidation and energy expenditure providing information about metabolic state. In this protocol we introduce a simple method to measure CO2 output from flies. This technique can potentially aid in the identification of genetic perturbations affecting metabolic rate.

Measurement of Metabolic Rate in Drosophila using Respirometry

Metabolic disorders are among one of the most common diseases in humans. The genetically tractable model organism D. melanogaster can be used to identify novel genes that regulate metabolism. This paper describes a relatively simple method which allows studying the metabolic rate in flies by measuring their CO2 production.

Metabolic disorders are a frequent problem affecting human health. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that regulate metabolism is a crucial ...

High Yield Expression of Recombinant Human Proteins with the Transient Transfection of HEK293 Cells in Suspension

The art of producing recombinant proteins with complex post-translational modifications represents a major challenge for studies of structure and function. The rapid establishment and high recovery from transiently-transfected mammalian cell lines addresses this barrier and is an effective means of expressing proteins that are naturally channeled through the ER and Golgi-mediated secretory pathway. Here is one protocol for protein expression using the human HEK293F and HEK293S cell lines transfected with a mammalian expression vector designed for high protein yields. The applicability of this system is demonstrated using three representative glycoproteins that expressed with yields between 95-120 mg of purified protein recovered per liter of culture. These proteins are the human Fc&#947;RIIIa and the rat &#945;2-6 sialyltransferase, ST6GalI, both expressed with an N-terminal GFP fusion, as well as the unmodified human immunoglobulin G1 Fc. This robust system utilizes a serum-free medium that is adaptable for expression of isotopically enriched proteins and carbohydrates for structural studies using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Furthermore, the composition of the N-glycan can be tuned by adding a small molecule to prevent certain glycan modifications in a manner that does not reduce yield.

Laboratory-scale production of eukaryotic proteins with appropriate post-translational modification represents a significant barrier. Here is a robust protocol with rapid establishment and turnaround for protein expression using a mammalian expression system. This system supports selective amino acid, selective labeling of proteins and small molecule modulators of glycan composition.