VJ and HS acknowledge support from NIH R01 GM094246 to VJ. HS acknowledges start-up funds from the Clemson University Creative Inquiry Program and the Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies at Clemson University. This project was also supported by a training fellowship from the Keck Center for Interdisciplinary Bioscience Training of the Gulf Coast Consortia (NIGMS Grant No. 1 T32GM089657-05) and the Schissler Foundation Fellowship for Translational Studies of Common Human Diseases to DD. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

All the authors declare that they have no competing financial interests with the contents of this article.

In this work, the protocol to align, calibrate, and measure interdye distances with high precision using PIE-MFD single-molecule FRET experiments is presented. By carefully calibrating all instrumental parameters, one can increase the accuracy of the measured distances and reach Angstrom accuracy. To do so, various multidimensional histograms are used to analyze and identify populations for further characterization. Using the mean macro time to verify the stability of the measured samples, it is possible to correct for d...

A fundamental goal of structural biology studies is to unravel the relationship between the structure and function of biomolecular machines. The first visual impression of biomolecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) occurred in the 1950s through the development X-ray crystallography1,2. X-ray crystallography provides high-resolution, static structural information constrained by the crystal packing. Therefore, the inherent immobility of X-ray structural models shuns the dynamic nature of biomolecules, a factor that impacts most biological functions3,4,5. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)6,7,8 provided an alternative solution to the problem by resolving structural models in aqueous solutions. A great advantage of NMR is its ability to recover the intrinsic dynamic nature of biomolecules and conformational ensembles, which helps to clarify the intrinsic relationships between structure, dynamics, and function3,4,5. Nevertheless, NMR, limited by sample size and large amounts of sample, requires complex labeling strategies for larger systems. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop alternative methods in structural biology.
Historically, F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET)9 has not taken an important role in structural biology because of the misconception that FRET provides low-accuracy distance measurements. It is the purpose of this protocol to revisit the ability of FRET to determine distances on the nanometer scale, such that these distances can be used for building structural models of biomolecules. The first experimental verification of the R-6 dependence on the FRET efficiency was done by Stryer in 196710 by measuring polyprolines of various lengths as a &#34;spectroscopic ruler.&#34; A similar experiment was accomplished at the single-molecule level in 200511. Polyproline molecules turned out to be non-ideal, and thus, double-stranded DNA molecules were later used12. This opened the window for precise distance measurements and the idea of using FRET to identify structural properties of biomolecules.
FRET is optimal when the interdye distance range is from ~0.6-1.3 R0, where R0 is the F&#246;rster distance. For typical fluorophores used in single-molecule FRET experiments, R0 is ~50 &#197;. Typically, FRET offers many advantages over other methods in its ability to resolve and differentiate the structures and dynamics in heterogeneous systems: (i) Due to the ultimate sensitivity of fluorescence, single-molecule FRET experiments13,14,15,16 can resolve heterogeneous ensembles by directly counting and simultaneously characterizing the structures of its individual members. (ii) Complex reaction pathways can be directly deciphered in single-molecule FRET studies because no synchronization of an ensemble is needed. (iii) FRET can access a wide range of temporal domains that span over 10 decades in time, covering a wide variety of biologically relevant dynamics. (iv) FRET experiments can be performed in any solution conditions, in vitro as well as in vivo. The combination of FRET with fluorescence microscopy allows for the study of molecular structures and interactions directly in living cells15,16,17,18,19, even with high precision20. (v) FRET can be applied to systems of nearly any size (e.g., polyproline oligomers21,22,23,24, Hsp9025, HIV reverse transcriptase26, and ribosomes27). (vi) Finally, a network of distances that contains all the dimensionality of biomolecules could be used to derive structural models of static or dynamic molecules18,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37.
Therefore, single-molecule FRET spectroscopy can be used to derive distances that are precise enough to be used for distance-restrained structural modeling26. This is possible by taking advantage of multiparameter fluorescence detection (MFD)28,38,39,40,41,42, which utilizes eight dimensions of fluorescence information (i.e., excitation spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, anisotropy, fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence quantum yield, macroscopic time, the fluorescence intensities, and the distance between fluorophores) to accurately and precisely provide distance restraints. Additionally, pulsed interleaved excitation (PIE) is combined with MFD (PIE-MFD)42 to monitor direct excitation acceptor fluorescence and to select single-molecule events arising from samples containing a 1:1 donor-to-acceptor stoichiometry. A typical PIE-MFD setup uses two-pulsed interleaved excitation lasers connected to a confocal microscope body, where photon detection is split into four different channels in different spectral windows and polarization characteristics. More details can be found in Figure 1.
It is important to note that FRET must be combined with computational methods to achieve atomistic-like structural models that are consistent with FRET results26,30. It is not the goal of the present protocol to go over the associated methodology to build structural models with FRET-derived distances. However, these approaches have been applied in combination with other techniques (e.g., small-angle X-ray scattering or electron paramagnetic resonance), giving birth to the field of integrative structural biology43,44,45,46. The current goal is to pave the way for FRET as a quantitative tool in structural biology. As an example, this methodology was used to identify three conformational states in the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The ultimate aim is to overcome the aforementioned limitations and to bring FRET amongst the integrative methods used for the structural determination of biomolecules by providing measured distances with high precision.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="672">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">charcoal</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Merck KGaA</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">K42964486 320</td>
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			<td>size: 0.20um</td>
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			<td>1.5 borosilicate glass, 8 wells</td>
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			<td style="width:183px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">063014-9</td>
			<td>size: 24X60-1.5</td>
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			<td>nuclease free</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">tween-20</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">28320</td>
			<td>10% solution of Polysorbate 20</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">acceptor DNA strand (High FRET)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Integrated DNA Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">178124895</td>
			<td>5&#180;-d(CGG CCT ATT TCG GAG TTG TAA ACA GAG AT(Cy5)C GCC TTA AAC GTT CGC CTA GAC TAG TCC AAG TAT TGC)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">acceptor DNA strand (Low FRET)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Integrated DNA Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">177956424</td>
			<td>5&#180;-d(CGG CCT ATT TCG GAG TTG TAA ACA GAG ATC GCC TT(Cy5)A AAC GTT CGC CTA GAC TAG TCC AAG TAT TGC)</td>
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		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">donor DNA strand</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Integrated DNA Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">177951437</td>
			<td>5&#180; -d(GCA ATA CTT GGA CTA GTC TAG GCG AAC GTT TAA GGC GAT CTC TGT TT(Alexa488)A CAA CTC CGA AAT AGG CCG)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">DNA strand (No FRET)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Integrated DNA Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>5&#180; -d(CGG CCT ATT TCG GAG TTG TAA ACA GAG ATC GCC TTA AAC GTT CGC CTA GAC TAG TCC AAG TAT TGC)</td>
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			<td style="width:119px;">E6331000025</td>
			<td>nexus gradient</td>
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			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">Alexa Fluor 488 C5&#160;Maleimide</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A10254</td>
			<td>termed cyan-green fluorophore in the manuscript</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">Alexa Fluor 647 C2&#160;Maleimide</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A20347</td>
			<td>termed far-red fluorophore in the manuscript</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">Rhodamine 110</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">83695-250MG</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">Rhodamine 101</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">83694-500MG</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">LB Broth, Miller</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">BP1426</td>
			<td>For culture of E. coli</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">Ampicillin</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A0166</td>
			<td>Used at 100 ug/ml final concentration in selective LB medium to maintain plasmid selection</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">Tetracyline&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Calbiochem</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">58346</td>
			<td>Used at 12.5 ug/ml final concentration in selective LB medium to maintain gor (flutathione reductase) mutation in Origami B(DE3) strains to facilitate disulfide bond oxidation</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">Kanamycin</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">BP906-5</td>
			<td>Used at 15 ug/ml final concentration in selective LB medium to maintain trxB (rhioredoxin reductase) mutation in B(DE3) stains to facilitate disulfide bond oxidation</td>
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			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">Origami B(DE3) Competent Cells</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">70837-3</td>
			<td>Competent E. coli cells for expression of protein with disulfide bridges</td>
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		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">Isopropyl-&#946;-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">BP1755</td>
			<td>For induction of E. coli protein expression</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">HiTrap Chelating HP</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">GE Life Sciences</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">17-0409-01</td>
			<td>For Large-scale FPLC Purification of His-tagged protein</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">Imidazole</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:119px;">56749</td>
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			<td style="width:183px;">GE Life Sciences</td>
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			<td align="right" style="width:119px;">28406264</td>
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			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">Dichroics</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Semrock</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">FF500/646-Di01-25x36</td>
			<td>500/646 BrightLight</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">50/50 Beam splitter polarizer</td>
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			<td style="width:119px;">G33 5743 000</td>
			<td>10x10 film polarizer</td>
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			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">Green pass filer</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Chroma</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">ET525/50m</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">ET525/50m 25 mm diameter mount</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">Red pass filter</td>
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			<td>ET720/150m</td>
			<td>ET720/150m 25 mm diameter mount</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">Power Meter</td>
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			<td style="width:119px;">PM200</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">UV-Vis spectrophotometer</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Varian</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Cary300Bio</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">Fluorolog 3 fluorometer</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Horiba</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">FL3-22-R3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">Fluorohub TCSPC controller</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Horiba</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Fluorohub-B</td>
			<td>TCSPC electronics for ensemble measurements</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">NanoLed 485L</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Horiba</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">485L</td>
			<td>Blue diode laser</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">NanoLed 635L</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Horiba</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">635L</td>
			<td>Red diode laser</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">Olympus IX73 Microscope</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Olympus</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">IX73P2F</td>
			<td>Microscope frame</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">PMA 40 Hybrid Detector</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">PicoQuant GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">932200, PMA 40</td>
			<td>Optimized for green detection</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">PMA 50 Hybrid Detector</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">PicoQuant GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">932201, PMA 50</td>
			<td>Optimized for ed shifter sensitivity</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">485nm laser</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">PicoQuant GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">LDH-D-C-485</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">640nm laser</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">PicoQuant GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">LDH-D-C-640</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">Hydraharp 400 and TTTR acqusition software</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">PicoQuant</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:119px;">930021</td>
			<td>Picosecond event timer and Time Correlated Single Photon Coutning Unit, includes TTTR acqusition software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">SEPIA II SLM 828 and SEPIA software</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">PicoQuant</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:119px;">910028</td>
			<td>Laser driver for picosecond pulses , includes SEPIA software controller.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">computer</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Dell</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">optiplex 7010</td>
			<td>cpu: i7-3770 ram:16GB</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:204px;">FRET Positioning and Screening (FPS) software</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Heinrich Heine Unviersity</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>It include the Accesibel Volume clacualtor available at http://www.mpc.hhu.de/software/fps.html</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:204px;">MFD suite</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Heinrich Heine Unviersity</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>It includes the BIFL software package Paris; Margarita for visualization of the multiparameter hisotrams, and Probability Distribution Analysis software availabel at http://www.mpc.hhu.de/software/software-package.html</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

high precision fret at single-molecule level for biomolecule structure determination

A protocol on how to perform high-precision interdye distance measurements using F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) at the single-molecule level in multiparameter fluorescence detection (MFD) mode is presented here. MFD maximizes the usage of all &#34;dimensions&#34; of fluorescence to reduce photophysical and experimental artifacts and allows for the measurement of interdye distance with an accuracy up to ~1 &#197; in rigid biomolecules. This method was used to identify three conformational states of the ligand-binding domain of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor to explain the activation of the receptor upon ligand binding. When comparing the known crystallographic structures with experimental measurements, they agreed within less than 3 &#197; for more dynamic biomolecules. Gathering a set of distance restraints that covers the entire dimensionality of the biomolecules would make it possible to provide a structural model of dynamic biomolecules.

In typical smFRET experiments using an MFD setup (laser lines: 485 nm at 60 &#181;W and 640 nm at 23 &#181;W, section 5.1), the fluorescence sample is diluted to a low-picomolar concentration (10-12 M = 1 pM) and placed in a confocal microscope, where a sub-nanosecond laser pulse excites labeled molecules freely diffusing through an excitation volume. A typical confocal volume is &#60;4 femtoliters (fL). At such low concentrations, only single molecules are detected one at a ti...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about High Precision FRET at Single-molecule Level for Biomolecule Structure Determination at JoVE.com

High Precision FRET at Single-molecule Level for Biomolecule Structure Determination

A protocol for high-precision FRET experiments at the single molecule level is presented here. Additionally, this methodology can be used to identify three conformational states in the ligand-binding domain of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Determining precise distances is the first step towards building structural models based on FRET experiments.

A protocol on how to perform high-precision interdye distance measurements using F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) at the single-molecule ...

The overall goal of this protocol is to perform high precision inter-dye distance measurements using multi-parameter fluorescence detection of F

high-precision-fret-at-single-molecule-level-for-biomolecule

Research

JoVE Journal

Biochemistry

10.6K Views.  Clemson University. The overall goal of this protocol is to perform high precision inter-dye distance measurements using multi-parameter fluorescence detection of F

Video: High Precision FRET at Single-molecule Level for Biomolecule Structure Determination

Structural Information from Single-molecule FRET Experiments Using the Fast Nano-positioning System

Single-molecule F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) can be used to obtain structural information on biomolecular complexes in real-time. Thereby, multiple smFRET measurements are used to localize an unknown dye position inside a protein complex by means of trilateration. In order to obtain quantitative information, the Nano-Positioning System (NPS) uses probabilistic data analysis to combine structural information from X-ray crystallography with single-molecule fluorescence data to calculate not only the most probable position but the complete three-dimensional probability distribution, termed posterior, which indicates the experimental uncertainty. The concept was generalized for the analysis of smFRET networks containing numerous dye molecules. The latest version of NPS, Fast-NPS, features a new algorithm using Bayesian parameter estimation based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling and parallel tempering that allows for the analysis of large smFRET networks in a comparably short time. Moreover, Fast-NPS allows the calculation of the posterior by choosing one of five different models for each dye, that account for the different spatial and orientational behavior exhibited by the dye molecules due to their local environment.
Here we present a detailed protocol for obtaining smFRET data and applying the Fast-NPS. We provide detailed instructions for the acquisition of the three input parameters of Fast-NPS: the smFRET values, as well as the quantum yield and anisotropy of the dye molecules. Recently, the NPS has been used to elucidate the architecture of an archaeal open promotor complex. This data is used to demonstrate the influence of the five different dye models on the posterior distribution.

We present the setup and experimental procedure to obtain smFRET data from large donor-acceptor networks with a TIRF microscope. The step-by-step analysis of these measurements with the Bayesian inference software Fast-NPS yields high-resolved structural information via the application of adapted dye models.

Single-molecule F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) can be used to obtain structural information on biomolecular complexes in real-time. ...

High Throughput, Absolute Determination of the Content of a Selected Protein at Tissue Levels Using Quantitative Dot Blot Analysis (QDB)

Lacking a convenient, quantitative, high throughput immunoblot method for absolute determination of the content of a specific protein at cellular and tissue level significantly hampers the progress in proteomic research. Results derived from currently available immunoblot techniques are also relative, preventing any efforts to combine independent studies with a large-scale analysis of protein samples. In this study, we demonstrate the process of quantitative dot blot analysis (QDB) to achieve absolute quantification in a high throughput format. Using a commercially available protein standard, we are able to determine the absolute content of capping actin protein, gelsolin-like (CAPG) in protein samples prepared from three different mouse tissues (kidney, spleen, and prostate) together with a detailed explanation of the experimental details. We propose the QDB analysis as a convenient, quantitative, high throughput immunoblot method of absolute quantification of individual proteins at the cellular and tissue level. This method will substantially aid biomarker validation and pathway verification in various areas of biological and biomedical research.

High Throughput, Absolute Determination of the Content of a Selected Protein at Tissue Levels Using Quantitative Dot Blot Analysis QDB

Here we demonstrate a detailed process of quantitative dot blot analysis (QDB) by determining the absolute content of a targeted protein, capping actin protein, gelsolin-like (CAPG), in three different mouse tissues. We demonstrate a high throughput, convenient, quantitative immunoblot technique for biomarker validation at the cellular and tissue level.

Lacking a convenient, quantitative, high throughput immunoblot method for absolute determination of the content of a specific protein at cellular and ...

Using Three-color Single-molecule FRET to Study the Correlation of Protein Interactions

Single-molecule F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) has become a widely used biophysical technique to study the dynamics of biomolecules. For many molecular machines in a cell proteins have to act together&#160;with interaction partners in a functional cycle to fulfill their task. The extension of two-color to multi-color smFRET makes it possible to simultaneously probe more than one interaction or conformational change. This not only adds a new dimension to smFRET experiments but it also offers the unique possibility to directly study the sequence of events and to detect correlated interactions when using an immobilized sample and a total internal reflection fluorescence microscope (TIRFM). Therefore, multi-color smFRET is a versatile tool for studying biomolecular complexes in a quantitative manner and in a previously unachievable detail.
Here, we demonstrate how to overcome the special challenges of multi-color smFRET experiments on proteins. We present detailed protocols for obtaining the data and for extracting kinetic information. This includes trace selection criteria, state separation, and the recovery of state trajectories from the noisy data using a 3D ensemble Hidden Markov Model (HMM). Compared to other methods, the kinetic information is not recovered from dwell time histograms but directly from the HMM. The maximum likelihood framework allows us to critically evaluate the kinetic model and to provide meaningful uncertainties for the rates.
By applying our method to the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), we are able to disentangle the nucleotide binding and the global conformational changes of the protein. This allows us to directly observe the cooperativity between the two nucleotide binding pockets of the Hsp90 dimer.

Here, we present a protocol to obtain three-color smFRET data and its analysis with a 3D ensemble Hidden Markov Model. With this approach, scientists can extract kinetic information from complex protein systems, including cooperativity or correlated interactions.

Single-molecule F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) has become a widely used biophysical technique to study the dynamics of biomolecules. For ...

Proteome-wide Quantification of Labeling Homogeneity at the Single Molecule Level

Cell proteomes are often characterized using electrophoresis assays, where all species of proteins in the cells are non-specifically labeled with a fluorescent dye and are spotted by a photodetector following their separation. Single molecule fluorescence imaging can provide ultrasensitive protein detection with its ability for visualizing individual fluorescent molecules. However, the application of this powerful imaging method to electrophoresis assays is hampered by the lack of ways to characterize the homogeneity of fluorescent labeling of each protein species across the proteome. Here, we developed a method to evaluate the labeling homogeneity across the proteome based on a single molecule fluorescence imaging assay. In our measurement using a HeLa cell sample, the proportion of proteins labeled with at least one dye, which we termed &#8216;labeling occupancy&#8217; (LO), was determined to range from 50% to 90%, supporting the high potential of the application of single molecule imaging to sensitive and precise proteome analysis.

Here, we present a protocol to assess the labeling homogeneity for each protein species in a complex protein sample at the single molecule level.

Cell proteomes are often characterized using electrophoresis assays, where all species of proteins in the cells are non-specifically labeled with a ...

Single-Molecule Dwell-Time Analysis of Restriction Endonuclease-Mediated DNA Cleavage

This novel total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy-based assay facilitates the simultaneous measurement of the length of the catalytic cycle for hundreds of individual restriction endonuclease (REase) molecules in one experiment. This assay does not require protein labeling and can be carried out with a single imaging channel. In addition, the results of multiple individual experiments can be pooled to generate well-populated dwell-time distributions. Analysis of the resulting dwell-time distributions can help elucidate the DNA cleavage mechanism by revealing the presence of kinetic steps that cannot be directly observed. Example data collected using this assay with the well-studied REase, EcoRV - a dimeric Type IIP restriction endonuclease that cleaves the palindromic sequence GAT&#8595;ATC (where &#8595; is the cut site) - are in agreement with prior studies. These results suggest that there are at least three steps in the pathway to DNA cleavage that is initiated by introducing magnesium after EcoRV binds DNA in its absence, with an average rate of 0.17 s-1 for each step.

Using quantum-dot-labeled DNA and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we can investigate the reaction mechanism of restriction endonucleases while using unlabeled protein. This single-molecule technique allows for massively multiplexed observation of individual protein-DNA interactions, and data can be pooled to generate well-populated dwell-time distributions.

This novel total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy-based assay facilitates the simultaneous measurement of the length of the catalytic cycle for ...

Making Precise and Accurate Single-Molecule FRET Measurements using the Open-Source smfBox

The smfBox is a recently developed cost-effective, open-source instrument for single-molecule F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET), which makes measurements on freely diffusing biomolecules more accessible. This overview includes a step-by-step protocol for using this instrument to make measurements of precise FRET efficiencies in duplex DNA samples, including details of the sample preparation, instrument setup and alignment, data acquisition, and complete analysis routines. The presented approach, which includes how to determine all the correction factors required for accurate FRET-derived distance measurements, builds on a large body of recent collaborative work across the FRET Community, which aims to establish standard protocols and analysis approaches. This protocol, which is easily adaptable to a range of biomolecular systems, adds to the growing efforts in democratising smFRET for the wider scientific community.

This article provides step-by-step instructions for making fully-corrected accurate FRET measurements on individual, freely diffusing biomolecules using the open-source, inexpensive smfBox, from switch on, through alignment and focusing, to data collection and analysis.

The smfBox is a recently developed cost-effective, open-source instrument for single-molecule F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET), which makes ...

The Extraction of Liver Glycogen Molecules for Glycogen Structure Determination

Liver glycogen is a hyperbranched glucose polymer that is involved in the maintenance of blood sugar levels in animals. The properties of glycogen are influenced by its structure. Hence, a suitable extraction method that isolates representative samples of glycogen is crucial to the study of this macromolecule. Compared to other extraction methods, a method that employs a sucrose density gradient centrifugation step can minimize molecular damage. Based on this method, a recent publication describes how the density of the sucrose solution used during centrifugation was varied (30%, 50%, 72.5%) to find the most suitable concentration to extract glycogen particles of a wide variety of sizes, limiting the loss of smaller particles. A 10 min boiling step was introduced to test its ability to denature glycogen degrading enzymes, thus preserving glycogen. The lowest sucrose concentration (30%) and the addition of the boiling step were shown to extract the most representative samples of glycogen.

An optimal sucrose concentration was determined for the extraction of liver glycogen using sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The addition of a 10 min boiling step to inhibit glycogen-degrading enzymes proved beneficial.

Liver glycogen is a hyperbranched glucose polymer that is involved in the maintenance of blood sugar levels in animals. The properties of glycogen are ...

Visualizing the Conformational Dynamics of Membrane Receptors Using Single-Molecule FRET

The ability of cells to respond to external signals is essential for cellular development, growth, and survival. To respond to a signal from the environment, a cell must be able to recognize and process it. This task mainly relies on the function of membrane receptors, whose role is to convert signals into the biochemical language of the cell. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of membrane receptor proteins in humans. Among GPCRs, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are a unique subclass that function as obligate dimers and possess a large extracellular domain that contains the ligand-binding site. Recent advances in structural studies of mGluRs have improved the understanding of their activation process. However, the propagation of large-scale conformational changes through mGluRs during activation and modulation is poorly understood. Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is a powerful technique to visualize and quantify the structural dynamics of biomolecules at the single-protein level. To visualize the dynamic process of mGluR2 activation, fluorescent conformational sensors based on unnatural amino acid (UAA) incorporation were developed that allowed site-specific protein labeling without perturbation of the native structure of receptors. The protocol described here explains how to perform these experiments, including the novel UAA labeling approach, sample preparation, and smFRET data acquisition and analysis. These strategies are generalizable and can be extended to investigate the conformational dynamics of a variety of membrane proteins.

This study presents a detailed procedure to perform single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) experiments on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using site-specific labeling via unnatural amino acid (UAA) incorporation. The protocol provides a step-by-step guide for smFRET sample preparation, experiments, and data analysis.

The ability of cells to respond to external signals is essential for cellular development, growth, and survival. To respond to a signal from the ...

Coating CryoEM Grids with Monolayer Graphene to Improve Cryo-Sample Preparation

Application of Monolayer Graphene to Cryo-Electron Microscopy Grids for High-resolution Structure Determination

In cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM), purified macromolecules are applied to a grid bearing a holey carbon foil; the molecules are then blotted to remove excess liquid and rapidly frozen in a roughly 20-100 nm thick layer of vitreous ice, suspended across roughly 1 &#181;m wide foil holes. The resulting sample is imaged using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, and after image processing using suitable software, near-atomic resolution structures can be determined. Despite cryoEM&#39;s widespread adoption, sample preparation remains a severe bottleneck in cryoEM workflows, with users often encountering challenges related to samples behaving poorly in the suspended vitreous ice. Recently, methods have been developed to modify cryoEM grids with a single continuous layer of graphene, which acts as a support surface that often increases particle density in the imaged area and can reduce interactions between particles and the air-water interface. Here, we provide detailed protocols for the application of graphene to cryoEM grids and for rapidly assessing the relative hydrophilicity of the resulting grids. Additionally, we describe an EM-based method to confirm the presence of graphene by visualizing its characteristic diffraction pattern. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of these graphene supports by rapidly reconstructing a 2.7 &#197; resolution density map of a Cas9 complex using a pure sample at a relatively low concentration.

Author Spotlight: Enhancing CryoEM Sample Preparation Using Graphene Monolayer on Microscopy Grids 

The application of support layers to cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) grids can increase particle density, limit interactions with the air-water interface, reduce beam-induced motion, and improve the distribution of particle orientations. This paper describes a robust protocol for coating cryoEM grids with a monolayer of graphene for improved cryo-sample preparation.

In cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM), purified macromolecules are applied to a grid bearing a holey carbon foil; the molecules are then blotted to ...

Imaging the Motion of Fully Reconstituted Cdc45/Mcm2-7/GINS (CMG)

Hybrid Ensemble and Single-molecule Assay to Image the Motion of Fully Reconstituted CMG

Eukaryotes have one replicative helicase known as CMG, which centrally organizes and drives the replisome, and leads the way at the front of replication forks. Obtaining a deep mechanistic understanding of the dynamics of CMG is critical to elucidating how cells achieve the enormous task of efficiently and accurately replicating their entire genome once per cell cycle. Single-molecule techniques are uniquely suited to quantify the dynamics of CMG due to their unparalleled temporal and spatial resolution. Nevertheless, single-molecule studies of CMG motion have thus far relied on pre-formed CMG purified from cells as a complex, which precludes the study of the steps leading up to its activation. Here, we describe a hybrid ensemble and single-molecule assay that allowed imaging at the single-molecule level of the motion of fluorescently labeled CMG after fully reconstituting its assembly and activation from 36 different purified S. cerevisiae polypeptides. This assay relies on the double functionalization of the ends of a linear DNA substrate with two orthogonal attachment moieties, and can be adapted to study similarly complex DNA-processing mechanisms at the single-molecule level.

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Motion Dynamics of the Eukaryotic Replisome Components at the Single-Molecule Level

We report a hybrid ensemble and single-molecule assay to directly image and quantify the motion of fluorescently labeled, fully reconstituted Cdc45/Mcm2-7/GINS (CMG) helicase on linear DNA molecules held in place in an optical trap.

Eukaryotes have one replicative helicase known as CMG, which centrally organizes and drives the replisome, and leads the way at the front of replication ...