This work was supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, project P302-12-G157. Experiments were also supported by the Czech-Norwegian Research Programme CZ09, which is supervised by Norwegian funds, and by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic (grant number: 7F14369).

<ol>
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S., 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=Immunochemical+detection+of+UV-induced+DNA+damage+and+repair.">Immunochemical detection of UV-induced DNA damage and repair.</a> J Immunol Methods. 280 (1-2), 125-133 (2003).</li><li>Lahtz, C., 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=Gamma+irradiation+does+not+induce+detectable+changes+in+DNA+methylation+directly+following+exposure+of+human+cells.">Gamma irradiation does not induce detectable changes in DNA methylation directly following exposure of human cells.</a> PLoS One. 7 (9), e44858 (2012).</li><li>Cremer, 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=Detection+of+chromosome+aberrations+in+the+human+interphase+nucleus+by+visualization+of+specific+target+DNAs+with+radioactive+and+non-radioactive+in+situ+hybridization+techniques:+diagnosis+of+trisomy+18+with+probe+L1.84.">Detection of chromosome aberrations in the human interphase nucleus by visualization of specific target DNAs with radioactive and non-radioactive in situ hybridization techniques: diagnosis of trisomy 18 with probe L1.84.</a> Hum Genet. 74 (4), 346-352 (1986).</li><li>Zorn, C., Cremer, T., Cremer, C., Zimmer, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laser+UV+microirradiation+of+interphase+nuclei+and+post-treatment+with+caffeine.+A+new+approach+to+establish+the+arrangement+of+interphase+chromosomes.">Laser UV microirradiation of interphase nuclei and post-treatment with caffeine. A new approach to establish the arrangement of interphase chromosomes.</a> Hum Genet. 35 (1), 83-89 (1976).</li><li>Bartova, E., 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=Recruitment+of+Oct4+protein+to+UV-damaged+chromatin+in+embryonic+stem+cells.">Recruitment of Oct4 protein to UV-damaged chromatin in embryonic stem cells.</a> PLoS One. 6 (12), e27281 (2011).</li><li>Stixova, L., 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=HP1beta-dependent+recruitment+of+UBF1+to+irradiated+chromatin+occurs+simultaneously+with+CPDs.">HP1beta-dependent recruitment of UBF1 to irradiated chromatin occurs simultaneously with CPDs.</a> Epigenetics Chromatin. 7 (1), 39 (2014).</li><li>Stixova, L., 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=Advanced+microscopy+techniques+used+for+comparison+of+UVA-+and+gamma-irradiation-induced+DNA+damage+in+the+cell+nucleus+and+nucleolus.">Advanced microscopy techniques used for comparison of UVA- and gamma-irradiation-induced DNA damage in the cell nucleus and nucleolus.</a> Folia Biol (Praha). 60, 76-84 (2014).</li><li>Luijsterburg, M. S., 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=Heterochromatin+protein+1+is+recruited+to+various+types+of+DNA+damage.">Heterochromatin protein 1 is recruited to various types of DNA damage.</a> J Cell Biol. 185 (4), 577-586 (2009).</li><li>Bartova, E., 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=Coilin+is+rapidly+recruited+to+UVA-induced+DNA+lesions+and+gamma-radiation+affects+localized+movement+of+Cajal+bodies.">Coilin is rapidly recruited to UVA-induced DNA lesions and gamma-radiation affects localized movement of Cajal bodies.</a> Nucleus. 5 (3), 460-468 (2014).</li><li>Franek, 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=Advanced+Image+Acquisition+and+Analytical+Techniques+for+Studies+of+Living+Cells+and+Tissue+Sections.">Advanced Image Acquisition and Analytical Techniques for Studies of Living Cells and Tissue Sections.</a> Microsc Microanal. 22 (2), 326-341 (2016).</li><li>Lemmer, P., 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=Using+conventional+fluorescent+markers+for+far-field+fluorescence+localization+nanoscopy+allows+resolution+in+the+10-nm+range.">Using conventional fluorescent markers for far-field fluorescence localization nanoscopy allows resolution in the 10-nm range.</a> J Microsc. 235 (2), 163-171 (2009).</li><li>Reits, E. A., Neefjes, J. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=From+fixed+to+FRAP:+measuring+protein+mobility+and+activity+in+living+cells.">From fixed to FRAP: measuring protein mobility and activity in living cells.</a> Nat Cell Biol. 3 (6), E145-E147 (2001).</li><li>Lakowitz, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy. , (2006).</li><li>Piston, D. W., Kremers, G. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fluorescent+protein+FRET:+the+good,+the+bad+and+the+ugly.">Fluorescent protein FRET: the good, the bad and the ugly.</a> Trends Biochem Sci. 32 (9), 407-414 (2007).</li><li>Levitt, J. A., Matthews, D. R., Ameer-Beg, S. 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S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+impact+of+heterogeneity+and+dark+acceptor+states+on+FRET:+implications+for+using+fluorescent+protein+donors+and+acceptors.">The impact of heterogeneity and dark acceptor states on FRET: implications for using fluorescent protein donors and acceptors.</a> PLoS One. 7 (11), e49593 (2012).</li><li>Foltankova, V., Matula, P., Sorokin, D., Kozubek, S., Bartova, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hybrid+detectors+improved+time-lapse+confocal+microscopy+of+PML+and+53BP1+nuclear+body+colocalization+in+DNA+lesions.">Hybrid detectors improved time-lapse confocal microscopy of PML and 53BP1 nuclear body colocalization in DNA lesions.</a> Microsc Microanal. 19 (2), 360-369 (2013).</li><li>Suchankova, J., 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=Distinct+kinetics+of+DNA+repair+protein+accumulation+at+DNA+lesions+and+cell+cycle-dependent+formation+of+gammaH2AX-+and+NBS1-positive+repair+foci.">Distinct kinetics of DNA repair protein accumulation at DNA lesions and cell cycle-dependent formation of gammaH2AX- and NBS1-positive repair foci.</a> Biol Cell. 107 (12), 440-454 (2015).</li><li>B&#225;rtov&#225;, E., 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=PCNA+is+recruited+to+irradiated+chromatin+in+late+S+phase+and+is+most+pronounced+in+G2+phase+of+the+cell+cycle.">PCNA is recruited to irradiated chromatin in late S phase and is most pronounced in G2 phase of the cell cycle.</a> Protoplasma. , (2017).</li><li>Krejci, J., 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=Post-Translational+Modifications+of+Histones+in+Human+Sperm.">Post-Translational Modifications of Histones in Human Sperm.</a> J Cell Biochem. 116 (10), 2195-2209 (2015).</li><li>Chou, D. 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I., Squire, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fluorescence+lifetime+imaging+microscopy:+spatial+resolution+of+biochemical+processes+in+the+cell.">Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy: spatial resolution of biochemical processes in the cell.</a> Trends Cell Biol. 9 (2), 48-52 (1999).</li><li>Day, R. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measuring+protein+interactions+using+Forster+resonance+energy+transfer+and+fluorescence+lifetime+imaging+microscopy.">Measuring protein interactions using Forster resonance energy transfer and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.</a> Methods. 66 (2), 200-207 (2014).</li><li>Konig, K., Uchugonova, A., Breunig, H. 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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Microscopy techniques represent basic tools in research laboratories. Here, a brief description of the methods used for the study of protein recruitment and kinetics at DNA lesions is presented. We especially noted our experimental experience in the field of local microirradiation of living cells, and we discuss the study of protein kinetics by FRAP and protein-protein interaction at DNA lesions by acceptor-bleaching FRET28 and its advanced modification FRET-FLIM (Figure 4A</s...

DNA damage leads to the appearance of DNA lesions consisting of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2&#39;-deoxyguanosine, and single-strand or double-strand breaks1,2. &#947;-rays are the form of ionizing radiation with the highest energy and high penetrance, thus this source of radiation is widely used in radiotherapy3. On the other hand, experimentally induced DNA damage caused by UV lasers mimics natural exposure to UV light. UVA microirradiation, as a microscopic method, represents an experimental tool for studying DNA damage in individual living cells. Microirradiation was used for the first time 40 years ago in order to reveal the organization of chromosome regions4,5. This technique is highly dependent on either the functional properties of confocal microscopes or the technical limits of modern nanoscopy. To induce DNA lesions, cells can be presensitized by 5&#39; bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) or Hoechst 33342 prior to UV irradiation. B&#225;rtov&#225; et al.6 previously described the presensitization step, and recently we optimized this microirradiation technique in order to avoid cell death, or apoptosis. For example, the use of a 405-nm UV laser (without Hoechst 33342 presensitization) leads to the induction of 53BP1-positive double-strand breaks (DSBs) at the expense of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). On the other hand, presensitization steps combined with UV microirradiation induce very high levels of CPDs and DSBs simultaneously7,8. This methodology is difficult to apply to the study of a single DNA repair pathway.
With microirradiation, it is possible to analyze protein recruitment, kinetics, and interaction at DNA lesions in living cells. An example of this method was published by Luijsterburg et al.9 for heterochromatin protein 1&#946;, and we recently showed for the first time that the pluripotency factor Oct4 and a protein associated with Cajal bodies, coilin, are recruited to UV-induced DNA lesions6,10. Protein kinetics at these DNA lesions can also be studied using the FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching)11,12,13 or FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) techniques14,15. These methods have the potential to reveal simple diffusion of proteins at DNA lesions or protein-protein interactions. A useful tool for additional characterization of proteins is FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy) or its combination with FRET technology (FRET-FLIM)16. These methods enable the study of processes in living cells that are stably or transiently expressing the protein of interest tagged by a fluorescent molecule17. Here, an example of exponential decay time (&#964;) for GFP-tagged p53 protein and its interaction partner, mCherry-tagged 53BP1, playing an important role in DNA damage response18,19 is shown. The parameter &#964;, the lifetime of the fluorochrome provided by FLIM calculations, is specific for a given fluorescence dye, its binding abilities, and its cellular environment. Therefore, this method can show us distinctions between protein subpopulations, their binding abilities, and their functional properties after, for example, DNA damage.
Here, an outline of the methodological approaches of the advanced microscopy techniques that is used in our laboratory to study time-specific protein recruitment, kinetics, diffusion, and protein-protein interactions at the site of microirradiated chromatin is presented. The step-by-step methodology for the induction of local DNA lesions in living cells, and a description of methodologies useful for studies of DNA-damage-related events at locally induced DNA lesions caused by UV lasers are provided.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell cultivation</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HeLa</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CCL-2TM</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ES-D3 [D3]</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-11632TM</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HeLa -Fucci cells</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>http://ruo.mbl.co.jp/bio/e/product/flprotein/fucci.html</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>PAN-Biotech</td>
			<td>P03-0710</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM high glucose</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>D6429-500ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal bovine serum (FBS)</td>
			<td>HyClone</td>
			<td>SV30180.03</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ES Cell FBS</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>16141-079</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Non-Essential Amino Acids (NEAA)</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>11140-035</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mLIF (mouse Leukemia Inhibitor Factor)</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>ESG1107</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MTG (1-Thioglycerol)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>M6145-25ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin Solution</td>
			<td>Biosera</td>
			<td>XC-A4122/100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin - EDTA</td>
			<td>Biosera</td>
			<td>XC-T1717/100</td>
			<td>dilute with 1 &#215; PBS in ratio 1:6</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nunclon cell culture dishes</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P7866</td>
			<td>cultivation of mESCs D3 cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#181;-Dish 35m+A15:I35m Grid-500</td>
			<td>Ibidi GmbH</td>
			<td>81166</td>
			<td>microscopic dish</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.2% Gelatine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>G1890-100G</td>
			<td>dilute in destille water and autoclaved</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell transfection</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GFP-p53 plasmid</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>12091</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mCherry-PCNA plasmid</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>generous gift from Cristina Cardoso, Technische Universit&#228;t Darmstadt</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mCherry-53BP1 plasmid</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>19835</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Metafecetene</td>
			<td>Biontex Laboratories GmbH</td>
			<td>T020&#8211;2.0</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10 &#215; PBS</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AM9625</td>
			<td>for transfection use 1 &#215; PBS diluted in nuclease-free water</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5-bromo-2&#8217;-deoxy-uridine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>11296736001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Confocal microscopy</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope Leica TCS SP5</td>
			<td>Leica Microsystems</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope Leica TCS SP8</td>
			<td>Leica Microsystems</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>White-light laser</td>
			<td>Leica Microsystems</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>355-nm laser</td>
			<td>Coherent Inc.</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>laser power 80 mW</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>405-nm laser</td>
			<td>Leica Microsystems</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>laser power 50 mW</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Immunofluorescence staining</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coverslip</td>
			<td>VWR International Ltd</td>
			<td>631-1580</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4% paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Affymetrix</td>
			<td>19943 1 LT</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X100</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td>2194854</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Saponin from quillaja bark</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S4521</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A2153</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>53BP1</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab21083</td>
			<td>primary antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>AlexaFluore 647</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A27040</td>
			<td>secondary antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vectashield</td>
			<td>Vector Laboratories Ltd</td>
			<td>H-1000</td>
			<td>mounting medium</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

advanced confocal microscopy techniques to study protein-protein interactions and kinetics at dna lesions

Local microirradiation with lasers represents a useful tool for studies of DNA-repair-related processes in live cells. Here, we describe a methodological approach to analyzing protein kinetics at DNA lesions over time or protein-protein interactions on locally microirradiated chromatin. We also show how to recognize individual phases of the cell cycle using the Fucci cellular system to study cell-cycle-dependent protein kinetics at DNA lesions. A methodological description of the use of two UV lasers (355 nm and 405 nm) to induce different types of DNA damage is also presented. Only the cells microirradiated by the 405-nm diode laser proceeded through mitosis normally and were devoid of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). We also show how microirradiated cells can be fixed at a given time point to perform immunodetection of the endogenous proteins of interest. For the DNA repair studies, we additionally describe the use of biophysical methods including FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching) and FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy) in cells with spontaneously occurring DNA damage foci. We also show an application of FLIM-FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) in experimental studies of protein-protein interactions.

Using advanced confocal microscopy, we observed an accumulation of mCherry-tagged 53BP1 and mCherry-PCNA proteins at DNA lesions. Analyses were performed by local microirradiation of living cells. To recognize the nuclear distribution patterns of DNA-repair-related proteins in individual cell cycle phases, we used the Fucci cellular system, by which it is possible to determine the G1, early S, and G2 phases of the cell cycle (Figure 1). The biological applica...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Advanced Confocal Microscopy Techniques to Study Protein-protein Interactions and Kinetics at DNA Lesions at JoVE.com

Advanced Confocal Microscopy Techniques to Study Protein-protein Interactions and Kinetics at DNA Lesions

Laser microirradiation is a useful tool for studies of DNA repair in living cells. A methodological approach for the use of UVA lasers to induce various DNA lesions is shown. We have optimized a method for local microirradiation that maintains the normal cell cycle; thus, irradiated cells proceed through mitosis.

Local microirradiation with lasers represents a useful tool for studies of DNA-repair-related processes in live cells. Here, we describe a methodological ...

The overall goal of these experiments is to induce DNA lesions using local micro irradiation of cells and to observe the recruitment of proteins involved in DNA repair processes.This method can help us to understand a very complex and profound question such as, how normal and cancer cells respond to DNA injury.The main advantage of this technique is that we are able to study the DNA damage response in individual live cells.Demonstrating the procedure will be by Sona Legartova, a post-doc and Jana Suchankova, a PhD student from my laboratory.To begin, cultivate HeLa cells in DMAM supplemented with 10%FBS and appropriate antibiotics.Incubate the cells at 37

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10.8K Views.  Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The overall goal of these experiments is to induce DNA lesions using local micro irradiation of cells and to observe the recruitment of proteins involved in DNA repair processes.This method can help us to understand a very complex and profound question such as, how normal and cancer cells respond to DNA injury.The main advantage of this technique is that we are able to study the DNA damage response in individual live cells.Demonstrating the procedure will be by Sona Legartova, a post-doc and ...

Video: Advanced Confocal Microscopy Techniques to Study Protein-protein Interactions and Kinetics at DNA Lesions

Imaging Protein-protein Interactions in vivo

Protein-protein interactions are a hallmark of all essential cellular processes. However, many of these interactions are transient, or energetically weak, preventing their identification and analysis through traditional biochemical methods such as co-immunoprecipitation. In this regard, the genetically encodable fluorescent proteins (GFP, RFP, etc.) and their associated overlapping fluorescence spectrum have revolutionized our ability to monitor weak interactions in vivo using F&ouml;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET)1-3. Here, we detail our use of a FRET-based proximity assay for monitoring receptor-receptor interactions on the endothelial cell surface.

Imaging Protein-protein Interactions in vivo

This protocol describes how to image protein-protein interactions using a FRET-based proximity assay.

Protein-protein interactions are a hallmark of all essential cellular processes. However, many of these interactions are transient, or energetically weak, ...

Fluorescence-based Measurement of Store-operated Calcium Entry in Live Cells: from Cultured Cancer Cell to Skeletal Muscle Fiber

Store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), earlier termed capacitative Ca2+ entry, is a tightly regulated mechanism for influx of extracellular Ca2+ into cells to replenish depleted endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ stores1,2. Since Ca2+ is a ubiquitous second messenger, it is not surprising to see that SOCE plays important roles in a variety of cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, gene transcription and motility. Due to its wide occurrence in nearly all cell types, including epithelial cells and skeletal muscles, this pathway has received great interest3,4. However, the heterogeneity of SOCE characteristics in different cell types and the physiological function are still not clear5-7.
The functional channel properties of SOCE can be revealed by patch-clamp studies, whereas a large body of knowledge about this pathway has been gained by fluorescence-based intracellular Ca2+ measurements because of its convenience and feasibility for high-throughput screening. The objective of this report is to summarize a few fluorescence-based methods to measure the activation of SOCE in monolayer cells, suspended cells and muscle fibers5,8-10. The most commonly used of these fluorescence methods is to directly monitor the dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ using the ratio of F340nm and F380nm (510 nm for emission wavelength) of the ratiometric Ca2+ indicator Fura-2. To isolate the activity of unidirectional SOCE from intracellular Ca2+ release and Ca2+ extrusion, a Mn2+ quenching assay is frequently used. Mn2+ is known to be able to permeate into cells via SOCE while it is impervious to the surface membrane extrusion processes or to ER uptake by Ca2+ pumps due to its very high affinity with Fura-2. As a result, the quenching of Fura-2 fluorescence induced by the entry of extracellular Mn2+ into the cells represents a measurement of activity of SOCE9. Ratiometric measurement and the Mn+2 quenching assays can be performed on a cuvette-based spectrofluorometer in a cell population mode or in a microscope-based system to visualize single cells. The advantage of single cell measurements is that individual cells subjected to gene manipulations can be selected using GFP or RFP reporters, allowing studies in genetically modified or mutated cells. The spatiotemporal characteristics of SOCE in structurally specialized skeletal muscle can be achieved in skinned muscle fibers by simultaneously monitoring the fluorescence of two low affinity Ca2+ indicators targeted to specific compartments of the muscle fiber, such as Fluo-5N in the SR and Rhod-5N in the transverse tubules9,11,12.

The extent of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) can be monitored using fluorescent Ca2+ indicators. Mn2+ quenching of such indicators assays SOCE in cultured cells and skeletal muscle fibers. A technique allowing spatial and temporal resolution of SOCE by confocal imaging of mechanically skinned muscle fibers is also described.

Store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), earlier termed capacitative Ca2+ entry, is a tightly regulated mechanism for influx of extracellular Ca2+ into cells to ...

The MultiBac Protein Complex Production Platform at the EMBL

Proteomics research revealed the impressive complexity of eukaryotic proteomes in unprecedented detail. It is now a commonly accepted notion that proteins in cells mostly exist not as isolated entities but exert their biological activity in association with many other proteins, in humans ten or more, forming assembly lines in the cell for most if not all vital functions.1,2 Knowledge of the function and architecture of these multiprotein assemblies requires their provision in superior quality and sufficient quantity for detailed analysis. The paucity of many protein complexes in cells, in particular in eukaryotes, prohibits their extraction from native sources, and necessitates recombinant production. The baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) has proven to be particularly useful for producing eukaryotic proteins, the activity of which often relies on post-translational processing that other commonly used expression systems often cannot support.3 BEVS use a recombinant baculovirus into which the gene of interest was inserted to infect insect cell cultures which in turn produce the protein of choice. MultiBac is a BEVS that has been particularly tailored for the production of eukaryotic protein complexes that contain many subunits.4 A vital prerequisite for efficient production of proteins and their complexes are robust protocols for all steps involved in an expression experiment that ideally can be implemented as standard operating procedures (SOPs) and followed also by non-specialist users with comparative ease. The MultiBac platform at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) uses SOPs for all steps involved in a multiprotein complex expression experiment, starting from insertion of the genes into an engineered baculoviral genome optimized for heterologous protein production properties to small-scale analysis of the protein specimens produced.5-8 The platform is installed in an open-access mode at EMBL Grenoble and has supported many scientists from academia and industry to accelerate protein complex research projects.

Protein complexes catalyze key cellular functions. Detailed functional and structural characterization of many essential complexes requires recombinant production. MultiBac is a baculovirus/insect cell system particularly tailored for expressing eukaryotic proteins and their complexes. MultiBac was implemented as an open-access platform, and standard operating procedures developed to maximize its utility.

Proteomics  research revealed the impressive complexity of eukaryotic proteomes in  unprecedented detail. It is now a commonly accepted notion that ...

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation: A High Throughput Quantitative Method to Study Protein-protein Interaction

Among methods to study protein-protein interaction inside cells, Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) is relatively simple and sensitive. BiFC is based on the production of fluorescence using two non-fluorescent fragments of a fluorescent protein (Venus, a Yellow Fluorescent Protein variant, is used here). Non-fluorescent Venus fragments (VN and VC) are fused to two interacting proteins (in this case, AKAP-Lbc and PDE4D3), yielding fluorescence due to VN-AKAP-Lbc-VC-PDE4D3 interaction and the formation of a functional fluorescent protein inside cells.
BiFC provides information on the subcellular localization of protein complexes and the strength of protein interactions based on fluorescence intensity. However, BiFC analysis using microscopy to quantify the strength of protein-protein interaction is time-consuming and somewhat subjective due to heterogeneity in protein expression and interaction. By coupling flow cytometric analysis with BiFC methodology, the fluorescent BiFC protein-protein interaction signal can be accurately measured for a large quantity of cells in a short time. Here, we demonstrate an application of this methodology to map regions in PDE4D3 that are required for the interaction with AKAP-Lbc. This high throughput methodology can be applied to screening factors that regulate protein-protein interaction.

Flow cytometric analysis of Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation provides a high throughput quantitative method to study protein-protein interaction. This methodology can be applied to mapping protein binding sites and for screening factors that regulate protein-protein interaction.

Among methods to study protein-protein interaction inside cells, Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) is relatively simple and sensitive. BiFC ...

Analyzing Craniofacial Morphogenesis in Zebrafish Using 4D Confocal Microscopy

Time-lapse imaging is a technique that allows for the direct observation of the process of morphogenesis, or the generation of shape. Due to their optical clarity and amenability to genetic manipulation, the zebrafish embryo has become a popular model organism with which to perform time-lapse analysis of morphogenesis in living embryos. Confocal imaging of a live zebrafish embryo requires that a tissue of interest is persistently labeled with a fluorescent marker, such as a transgene or injected dye. The process demands that the embryo is anesthetized and held in place in such a way that healthy development proceeds normally. Parameters for imaging must be set to account for three-dimensional growth and to balance the demands of resolving individual cells while getting quick snapshots of development. Our results demonstrate the ability to perform long-term in vivo imaging of fluorescence-labeled zebrafish embryos and to detect varied tissue behaviors in the cranial neural crest that cause craniofacial abnormalities. Developmental delays caused by anesthesia and mounting are minimal, and embryos are unharmed by the process. Time-lapse imaged embryos can be returned to liquid medium and subsequently imaged or fixed at later points in development. With an increasing abundance of transgenic zebrafish lines and well-characterized fate mapping and transplantation techniques, imaging any desired tissue is possible. As such, time-lapse in vivo imaging combines powerfully with zebrafish genetic methods, including analyses of mutant and microinjected embryos.

Time-lapse confocal imaging is a powerful technique useful for characterizing embryonic development. Here, we describe the methodology and characterize craniofacial morphogenesis in wild-type, as well as pdgfra, smad5, and smo mutant embryos.

Time-lapse imaging is a technique that allows for the direct observation of the process of morphogenesis, or the generation of shape. Due to their optical ...

Combining Single-molecule Manipulation and Imaging for the Study of Protein-DNA Interactions

The paper describes the combination of optical tweezers and single molecule fluorescence detection for the study of protein-DNA interaction. The method offers the opportunity of investigating interactions occurring in solution (thus avoiding problems due to closeby surfaces as in other single molecule methods), controlling the DNA extension and tracking interaction dynamics as a function of both mechanical parameters and DNA sequence. The methods for establishing successful optical trapping and nanometer localization of single molecules are illustrated. We illustrate the experimental conditions allowing the study of interaction of lactose repressor (lacI), labeled with Atto532, with a DNA molecule containing specific target sequences (operators) for LacI binding. The method allows the observation of specific interactions at the operators, as well as one-dimensional diffusion of the protein during the process of target search. The method is broadly applicable to the study of protein-DNA interactions but also to molecular motors, where control of the tension applied to the partner track polymer (for example actin or microtubules) is desirable.

Here we describe the instrumentation and methods for detecting single fluorescently-labeled protein molecules interacting with a single DNA molecule suspended between two optically trapped microspheres.

The paper describes the combination of optical tweezers and single molecule fluorescence detection for the study of protein-DNA interaction. The method ...

Probing High-density Functional Protein Microarrays to Detect Protein-protein Interactions

High-density functional protein microarrays containing ~4,200 recombinant yeast proteins are examined for kinase protein-protein interactions using an affinity purified yeast kinase fusion protein containing a V5-epitope tag for read-out. Purified kinase is obtained through culture of a yeast strain optimized for high copy protein production harboring a plasmid containing a Kinase-V5 fusion construct under a GAL inducible promoter. The yeast is grown in restrictive media with a neutral carbon source for 6 hr followed by induction with 2% galactose. Next, the culture is harvested and kinase is purified using standard affinity chromatographic techniques to obtain a highly purified protein kinase for use in the assay. The purified kinase is diluted with kinase buffer to an appropriate range for the assay and the protein microarrays are blocked prior to hybridization with the protein microarray. After the hybridization, the arrays are probed with monoclonal V5 antibody to identify proteins bound by the kinase-V5 protein. Finally, the arrays are scanned using a standard microarray scanner, and data is extracted for downstream informatics analysis1,2 to determine a high confidence set of protein interactions for downstream validation in vivo.

Using protein microarrays containing nearly the entire S. cerevisiae proteome is probed for rapid unbiased interrogation of thousands of protein-protein interactions in parallel. This method can be utilized for protein-small molecule, posttranslational modification, and other assays in high-throughput.

High-density functional protein microarrays containing ~4,200 recombinant yeast proteins are examined for kinase protein-protein interactions using an ...

Study of Protein-protein Interactions in Autophagy Research

Protein-protein interactions are important for understanding cellular signaling cascades and identifying novel pathway components and protein dynamics. The majority of cellular activities require physical interactions between proteins. To analyze and map these interactions, various experimental techniques as well as bioinformatics tools were developed. Autophagy is a cellular recycling mechanism that allows the cells to cope with different stressors, including nutrient deprivation, chemicals, and hypoxia. In order to better understand autophagy-related signaling events and to discover novel factors that regulate protein complexes in autophagy, we performed protein-protein interaction screens. Validation of these screening results requires the use of immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation techniques. In this system, specific autophagy-related protein-protein interactions that we discovered were tested in Neuro2A (N2A) and HEK293T cell lines. Details of the technical procedures used are explained in this visualized experiment paper.

Presented here are two antibody-based protein-protein interaction research techniques: immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. These techniques are suitable for studying physical interactions between proteins for the discovery of novel components of cellular signaling pathways and for understanding protein dynamics.

Protein-protein interactions are important for understanding cellular signaling cascades and identifying novel pathway components and protein dynamics. ...

FLIM-FRET Measurements of Protein-Protein Interactions in Live Bacteria.

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) control various key processes in cells. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) combined with F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) provide accurate information about PPIs in live cells. FLIM-FRET relies on measuring the fluorescence lifetime decay of a FRET donor at each pixel of the FLIM image, providing quantitative and accurate information about PPIs and their spatial cellular organizations. We propose here a detailed protocol for FLIM-FRET measurements that we applied to monitor PPIs in live Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the particular case of two interacting proteins expressed with highly different copy numbers to demonstrate the quality and robustness of the technique at revealing critical features of PPIs. This protocol describes in detail all the necessary steps for PPI characterization - starting from bacterial mutant constructions up to the final analysis using recently developed tools providing advanced visualization possibilities for a straightforward interpretation of complex FLIM-FRET data.

We describe here a protocol to characterize protein-protein interactions between two highly-differently expressed proteins in live Pseudomonas aeruginosa using FLIM-FRET measurements. The protocol includes bacteria strain constructions, bacteria immobilization, imaging and post-imaging data analysis routines.

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) control various key processes in cells. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) combined with F&#246;rster ...

Autofluorescence Imaging to Evaluate Red Algae Physiology

Red algae (Rhodophyta) contain phycobiliproteins and colonize habitats with dim light, however some (e.g., some Chroothece species) can also develop in full sunshine. Most rhodophytes are red, however some can appear bluish, depending on the proportion of blue and red biliproteins (phycocyanin and phycoerythrin). Different phycobiliproteins can capture light at diverse wavelengths and transmit it to chlorophyll a, which makes photosynthesis under very different light conditions possible. These pigments respond to habitat changes in light, and their autofluorescence can help to study biological processes. Using Chroothece mobilis as a model organism and the spectral lambda scan mode in a confocal microscope, the adaptation of photosynthetic pigments to different monochromatic lights was studied at the cellular level to guess the species' optimal growth conditions. The results showed that, even when the studied strain was isolated from a cave, it adapted to both dim and medium light intensities. The presented method is especially useful for studying photosynthetic organisms that do not grow or grow very slowly under laboratory conditions, which is usually the case for those living in extreme habitats.

The present protocol describes step-by-step autofluorescence imaging and evaluation of phycobiliprotein changes in red algae based on spectral analysis. This is a label-free and non-destructive method to evaluate cellular adaptation to extreme habitats, when only scarce material is available and cells grow slowly, or not at all, under laboratory conditions.

Red algae (Rhodophyta) contain phycobiliproteins and colonize habitats with dim light, however some (e.g., some Chroothece species) can also develop in ...