Name: using microfluidics and fluorescence microscopy to study the assembly dynamics of single actin filaments and bundles
Uploaded: 2022-05-05T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles at JoVE.com

We are grateful to the B. Ladoux and R.-M. M&#232;ge lab for the use of their UV-cleaner equipment, and J. Heuvingh and 0. du Roure for the initial training we received on preparing molds on silicon wafers and providing tips on microfluidics. We acknowledge funding from European Research Council Grant StG-679116 (to A.J.) and Agence Nationale de la Recherche Grants Muscactin and Conformin (to G.R.-L.).

1. Microfluidic chamber preparation
<ol>
	<li>Select a SU-8 master mold with several chamber patterns. Typical chambers are cross-shaped with three inlets and one outlet, 20 &#181;m high and 800 &#181;m wide (Figure 1). Such master molds can be purchased from external companies or made in academic laboratories (e.g., Gicquel, Y. et al.5).</li>
	<li>Place tape around the edge of the mold.
	<ol>
		<li>Put ~50 cm long, 19 mm wide, standard transparent ...

<ol>
	<li>Wioland, H., J&#233;gou, A., Romet-Lemonne, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Celebrating+20+years+of+live+single-actin-filament+studies+with+five+golden+rules.">Celebrating 20 years of live single-actin-filament studies with five golden rules.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 119 (3), 2109506119 (2022).</li><li>Kuhn, J. R., Pollard, T. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Real-time+measurements+of+actin+filament+polymerization+by+total+internal+reflection+fluorescence+microscopy.">Real-time measurements of actin filament polymerization by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy.</a> Biophysical Journal. 88 (2), 1387-1402 (2005).</li><li>Brewer, L. R., Bianco, P. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laminar+flow+cells+for+single-molecule+studies+of+DNA-protein+interactions.">Laminar flow cells for single-molecule studies of DNA-protein interactions.</a> Nature Methods. 5 (6), 517-525 (2008).</li><li>J&#233;gou, A., 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=Individual+actin+filaments+in+a+microfluidic+flow+reveal+the+mechanism+of+ATP+hydrolysis+and+give+insight+into+the+properties+of+profilin.">Individual actin filaments in a microfluidic flow reveal the mechanism of ATP hydrolysis and give insight into the properties of profilin.</a> PLoS Biology. 9 (9), 1001161 (2011).</li><li>Gicquel, Y., 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=Microfluidic+chips+for+in+situ+crystal+x-ray+diffraction+and+in+situ+dynamic+light+scattering+for+serial+crystallography.">Microfluidic chips for in situ crystal x-ray diffraction and in situ dynamic light scattering for serial crystallography.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (134), e57133 (2018).</li><li>Chandradoss, S. D., 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=Surface+passivation+for+single-molecule+protein+studies.">Surface passivation for single-molecule protein studies.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (86), e50549 (2014).</li><li>Schaedel, 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=Microtubules+self-repair+in+response+to+mechanical+stress.">Microtubules self-repair in response to mechanical stress.</a> Nature Materials. 14 (11), 1156-1163 (2015).</li><li>Zimmermann, D., Morganthaler, A. N., Kovar, D. R., Suarez, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+biochemical+characterization+of+cytokinesis+actin-binding+proteins.">In vitro biochemical characterization of cytokinesis actin-binding proteins.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 1369, 151-179 (2016).</li><li>Funk, 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=Profilin+and+formin+constitute+a+pacemaker+system+for+robust+actin+filament+growth.">Profilin and formin constitute a pacemaker system for robust actin filament growth.</a> eLife. 8, 50963 (2019).</li><li>Pandit, N. G., 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=Force+and+phosphate+release+from+Arp2/3+complex+promote+dissociation+of+actin+filament+branches.">Force and phosphate release from Arp2/3 complex promote dissociation of actin filament branches.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 117 (24), 13519-13528 (2020).</li><li>Wioland, H., 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=ADF/Cofilin+accelerates+actin+dynamics+by+severing+filaments+and+promoting+their+depolymerization+at+both+ends.">ADF/Cofilin accelerates actin dynamics by severing filaments and promoting their depolymerization at both ends.</a> Current Biology: CB. 27 (13), 1956-1967 (2017).</li><li>Pollard, T. D., Mooseker, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+measurement+of+actin+polymerization+rate+constants+by+electron+microscopy+of+actin+filaments+nucleated+by+isolated+microvillus+cores.">Direct measurement of actin polymerization rate constants by electron microscopy of actin filaments nucleated by isolated microvillus cores.</a> The Journal of Cell Biology. 88 (3), 654-659 (1981).</li><li>Kovar, D. R., Harris, E. S., Mahaffy, R., Higgs, H. N., Pollard, T. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Control+of+the+assembly+of+ATP-+and+ADP-actin+by+formins+and+profilin.">Control of the assembly of ATP- and ADP-actin by formins and profilin.</a> Cell. 124 (2), 423-435 (2006).</li><li>J&#233;gou, A., Carlier, M. -. F., Romet-Lemonne, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Formin+mDia1+senses+and+generates+mechanical+forces+on+actin+filaments.">Formin mDia1 senses and generates mechanical forces on actin filaments.</a> Nature Communications. 4, 1883 (2013).</li><li>Breitsprecher, D., 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=Rocket+launcher+mechanism+of+collaborative+actin+assembly+defined+by+single-molecule+imaging.">Rocket launcher mechanism of collaborative actin assembly defined by single-molecule imaging.</a> Science. 336 (6085), 1164-1168 (2012).</li><li>Courtemanche, N., Lee, J. Y., Pollard, T. D., Greene, E. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tension+modulates+actin+filament+polymerization+mediated+by+formin+and+profilin.">Tension modulates actin filament polymerization mediated by formin and profilin.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 110 (24), 9752-9757 (2013).</li><li>Niedermayer, 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=Intermittent+depolymerization+of+actin+filaments+is+caused+by+photo-induced+dimerization+of+actin+protomers.">Intermittent depolymerization of actin filaments is caused by photo-induced dimerization of actin protomers.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 109 (27), 10769-10774 (2012).</li><li>Gateva, G., 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=Tropomyosin+isoforms+specify+functionally+distinct+actin+filament+populations+in+vitro.">Tropomyosin isoforms specify functionally distinct actin filament populations in vitro.</a> Current Biology: CB. 27 (5), 705-713 (2017).</li><li>Aratyn, Y. S., Schaus, T. E., Taylor, E. W., Borisy, G. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intrinsic+dynamic+behavior+of+fascin+in+filopodia.">Intrinsic dynamic behavior of fascin in filopodia.</a> Molecular Biology of the Cell. 18 (10), 3928-3940 (2007).</li><li>Pollard, T. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rate+constants+for+the+reactions+of+ATP-+and+ADP-actin+with+the+ends+of+actin+filaments.">Rate constants for the reactions of ATP- and ADP-actin with the ends of actin filaments.</a> The Journal of Cell Biology. 103, 2747-2754 (1986).</li><li>Wioland, H., Jegou, A., Romet-Lemonne, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Torsional+stress+generated+by+ADF/cofilin+on+cross-linked+actin+filaments+boosts+their+severing.">Torsional stress generated by ADF/cofilin on cross-linked actin filaments boosts their severing.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 116 (7), 2595-2602 (2019).</li><li>Colombo, 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=A+functional+family+of+fluorescent+nucleotide+analogues+to+investigate+actin+dynamics+and+energetics.">A functional family of fluorescent nucleotide analogues to investigate actin dynamics and energetics.</a> Nature Communications. 12 (1), 548 (2021).</li><li>Spudich, J. A., Watt, 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+regulation+of+rabbit+skeletal+muscle+contraction.+I.+Biochemical+studies+of+the+interaction+of+the+tropomyosin-troponin+complex+with+actin+and+the+proteolytic+fragments+of+myosin.">The regulation of rabbit skeletal muscle contraction. I. Biochemical studies of the interaction of the tropomyosin-troponin complex with actin and the proteolytic fragments of myosin.</a> The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 246 (15), 4866-4871 (1971).</li><li>Romet-Lemonne, G., Guichard, B., J&#233;gou, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Using+microfluidics+single+filament+assay+to+study+formin+control+of+actin+assembly.">Using microfluidics single filament assay to study formin control of actin assembly.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 1805, 75-92 (2018).</li><li>Gieselmann, R., Kwiatkowski, D. J., Janmey, P. A., Witke, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Distinct+biochemical+characteristics+of+the+two+human+profilin+isoforms.">Distinct biochemical characteristics of the two human profilin isoforms.</a> European Journal of Biochemistry. 229 (3), 621-628 (1995).</li><li>Lin, D. C., Lin, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Actin+polymerization+induced+by+a+motility-related+high-affinity+cytochalasin+binding+complex+from+human+erythrocyte+membrane.">Actin polymerization induced by a motility-related high-affinity cytochalasin binding complex from human erythrocyte membrane.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 76 (5), 2345-2349 (1979).</li><li>Casella, J. F., Maack, D. J., Lin, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Purification+and+initial+characterization+of+a+protein+from+skeletal+muscle+that+caps+the+barbed+ends+of+actin+filaments.">Purification and initial characterization of a protein from skeletal muscle that caps the barbed ends of actin filaments.</a> The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 261 (23), 10915-10921 (1986).</li><li>Kremneva, 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=Cofilin-2+controls+actin+filament+length+in+muscle+sarcomeres.">Cofilin-2 controls actin filament length in muscle sarcomeres.</a> Developmental Cell. 31 (2), 215-226 (2014).</li><li>Le Clainche, C., Carlier, M. -. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Actin-based+motility+assay.">Actin-based motility assay.</a> Current Protocols in Cell Biology. , 1-20 (2004).</li><li>Vignjevic, D., 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=Formation+of+filopodia-like+bundles+in+vitro+from+a+dendritic+network.">Formation of filopodia-like bundles in vitro from a dendritic network.</a> The Journal of Cell Biology. 160 (6), 951-962 (2003).</li><li>Duellberg, C., Cade, N. I., Holmes, D., Surrey, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+size+of+the+EB+cap+determines+instantaneous+microtubule+stability.">The size of the EB cap determines instantaneous microtubule stability.</a> eLife. 5, 13470 (2016).</li><li>Duellberg, C., Cade, N. I., Surrey, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microtubule+aging+probed+by+microfluidics-assisted+tubulin+washout.">Microtubule aging probed by microfluidics-assisted tubulin washout.</a> Molecular Biology of the Cell. 27 (22), 3563-3573 (2016).</li><li>Suzuki, E. 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=Geometrical+constraints+greatly+hinder+formin+mDia1+activity.">Geometrical constraints greatly hinder formin mDia1 activity.</a> Nano Letters. 20 (1), 22-32 (2020).</li><li>Wioland, H., Suzuki, E., Cao, L., Romet-Lemonne, G., Jegou, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+advantages+of+microfluidics+to+study+actin+biochemistry+and+biomechanics.">The advantages of microfluidics to study actin biochemistry and biomechanics.</a> Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility. 41 (1), 175-188 (2020).</li></ol>

Compared to standard single-filament methods where actin filaments are anchored to the surface by multiple points along their length or maintained close to it by a crowding agent such as methylcellulose, microfluidics offers a number of advantages. As interactions with the surface are minimal, the artificial pauses these interactions can induce during both elongation and depolymerization are avoided. The filaments are aligned by the flow, parallel to each other, easing their monitoring and the measurement of their length...

The assembly and disassembly of actin filaments and actin filament networks are controlled by several biochemical reactions and depend on the mechanical context. In order to gain insight into these complex mechanisms, it is invaluable to be able to observe individual reactions on individual filaments (in sufficiently large numbers). Over the past decades, the observation of dynamic actin filaments in real-time, mostly using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, has emerged as a key technique and has provided an impressive list of results that could not have been obtained with bulk solution biochemical assays1.
To achieve this, one needs to maintain fluorescently labeled actin filaments close to the surface of the microscope coverslip while exposing them to solutions of actin-binding proteins (ABPs), which can also be fluorescently labeled. Doing so provides a means to monitor events taking place on individual filaments in well-controlled biochemical conditions, and thus quantify reaction rates. However, a number of specific limitations should be considered. Artificially maintaining filaments close to the surface, often thanks to multiple anchoring points or by using a crowding agent such as methylcellulose, can alter their behavior (e.g., causing pauses in their polymerization and depolymerization2). Tracking the contour of each filament can be challenging, particularly if new filaments or filament fragments accumulate in the field of view over time. The reactions take place in a finite volume where the concentration of actin monomers and ABPs can vary over time, potentially making it difficult to derive accurate rate constants. Finally, renewing or changing the solution of ABPs is difficult to achieve in less than 30 s and will often lead to inhomogeneous protein content in the sample.
A bit over 10 years ago, inspired by what was already done to study individual Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) strands3, we introduced a new technique based on microfluidics to observe and manipulate individual actin filaments4. It allows one to circumvent the aforementioned limitations of classical single-filament techniques. In these microfluidics assays, actin filaments are grown from spectrin-actin seeds adsorbed on the coverslip. Filaments are thus anchored by one end only to the bottom of the microfluidic chamber and fluctuate above the surface without sticking. Filaments align with the flow of incoming solutions, thereby easing the monitoring of their contour length and maintaining them in a shallow region above the coverslip where TIRF can be used. Different solutions are simultaneously flowed into the chamber without mixing, and the filaments can be exposed to them sequentially and rapidly.
Here, we propose a series of basic protocols to set up single-actin-filament microfluidics assays in the lab. Coverslips and microfluidics chambers can be prepared in advance (in half a day), and the experiment itself, where several biochemical conditions can be tested, is done in less than a day.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>&#946;-Casein</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>C6905</td>
			<td>Used at 8 mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biopsy punch (with plunger)</td>
			<td>Ted Pella</td>
			<td>15115-2</td>
			<td>ID 0.75 mm, OD 1.07 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biotin-BSA</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>A8549</td>
			<td>Used at 1 mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>A8022</td>
			<td>Used at 50 mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coverslip Mini-Rack 
			Teflon holder</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>C14784</td>
			<td>for 8 coverslips</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coverslips 22x40mm 
			Thickness #1.5</td>
			<td>Menzel Gl&#228;ser</td>
			<td>631-1370</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DABCO</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>D27802</td>
			<td>component in f-buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DTT</td>
			<td>Euromedex</td>
			<td>EU0006-D</td>
			<td>component in f-buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ester NHS Alexa Fluor 488</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A20000</td>
			<td>Fluorophore for actin labeling on Lys328.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EZ-Link Sulfo-NHS-Biotin</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>21338</td>
			<td>To biotinylate actin on Lys328</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hellmanex III</td>
			<td>Hellma</td>
			<td>9-307-011-4-507</td>
			<td>Glass cleaning detergent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ImageJ</td>
			<td>NIH</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>open source software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laboport</td>
			<td>KNF</td>
			<td>811kn.18</td>
			<td>vacuum pump (ultimate vacuum: 240 mbar)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Magic invisible tape</td>
			<td>Scotch</td>
			<td>7100024666</td>
			<td>standard transparent office tape</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micrewtube</td>
			<td>Simport</td>
			<td>T341-6T</td>
			<td>2 mL microfluidic reservoir tubes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microfluidic device Part 1: Flow Unit S</td>
			<td>Fluigent</td>
			<td>FLU-S-D-PCKB</td>
			<td>Flowmeter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microfluidic device Part 2: Fluiwell-4C-2 mL</td>
			<td>Fluigent</td>
			<td>14002001PCK</td>
			<td>Reservoir holder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microfluidic device Part 3: MFCS-EZ</td>
			<td>Fluigent</td>
			<td>EZ-11000001 
			EZ-00345001</td>
			<td>Pressure controller</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Model 42 - UVO-Cleaner</td>
			<td>Jelight Inc.</td>
			<td>42-220</td>
			<td>Ultraviolet cleaner</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N6-(6-Aminohexyl)-ATP-ATTO-488</td>
			<td>Jena Bioscience</td>
			<td>NU-805-488</td>
			<td>ATP-ATTO used to label actin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>neutravidin</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>31000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PLL-PEG</td>
			<td>SuSoS</td>
			<td>PLL(20)-g[3.5]- PEG(2)</td>
			<td>Use at 1 mg/mL in PBS.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Sylgard 184 Silicon Elastomer</td>
			<td>Dow Corning</td>
			<td>1673921</td>
			<td>Contains PDMS base and curing agent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) tubing</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>Z226661</td>
			<td>&#8220;Blue&#8221; : I.D. = 0.25 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Safety blow gun</td>
			<td>Coilhose Pneumatics</td>
			<td>700-S</td>
			<td>filtered air</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silicon tubing</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>228-0701P</td>
			<td>connect PEEK to coupler</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stainless steel catheter coupler</td>
			<td>Prime Bioscience</td>
			<td>SC22/15</td>
			<td>Inserted into PDMS inlets and outlet to connect to PEEK tubing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thermoplastic film</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>PM996</td>
			<td>Standard &#34;parafilm&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultrapure ethanol</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>64-17-5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultrasonic cleaning bath</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>USC200TH</td>
			<td>To accomodate 1 L beakers</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vacuum dessicator</td>
			<td>SP Bel-Art</td>
			<td>F42022-0000</td>
			<td>to degas the PDMS or solutions</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

using microfluidics and fluorescence microscopy to study the assembly dynamics of single actin filaments and bundles

In order to decipher the complex molecular mechanisms that regulate the assembly and disassembly of actin filaments, it is a great asset to monitor individual reactions live in well-controlled conditions. To do so, live single-filament experiments have emerged over the past 20 years, mostly using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, and have provided a trove of key results. In 2011, in order to further expand the possibilities of these experiments and to avoid recurring problematic artifacts, we introduced simple microfluidics in these assays. This study details our basic protocol, where individual actin filaments are anchored by one end to the passivated coverslip surface, align with the flow, and can be successively exposed to different protein solutions. We also present the protocols for specific applications and explain how controlled mechanical forces can be applied, thanks to the viscous drag of the flowing solution. We highlight the technical caveats of these experiments and briefly present possible developments based on this technique. These protocols and explanations, along with today&#39;s availability of easy-to-use microfluidics equipment, should allow non-specialists to implement this assay in their labs.

For all the experiments described above, fluorescently labeled actin filaments should be clearly visible, with good contrast, indicative of low background fluorescence from the surface (Figure 4, see Supplementary File 1 for troubleshooting of common issues). Actin filaments should also not stick to the surface: when the dominant flow rate is low, the actin filaments&#39; lateral fluctuations should be perceptible when observing them live and allow one to clearly determine t...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles at JoVE.com

Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles

We present protocols for simple actin filament microfluidic assays, in combination with fluorescence microscopy, that allow one to accurately monitor individual actin filaments in real-time while sequentially exposing them to different protein solutions.

In order to decipher the complex molecular mechanisms that regulate the assembly and disassembly of actin filaments, it is a great asset to monitor ...

We combine fluorescence microscopy with microfluidics to study how actin-binding proteins regulate the assembly, and the disassembly, of actin filaments. With microfluidics, we are able to quantify reactions happening on tens of individual actin filaments simultaneously, while precisely controlling biochemical and mechanical conditions. Remember that solutions are first injected in parallel until they reach the chamber, and then, filaments are exposed sequentially to each solution by changing the pressure setting.To start the preparation of polydimethylsiloxane, or PDMS, chamber assembly, preheat the hot plate to 100 degrees Celsius. Expose one cleaned PDMS chamber and one glass cover slip in a clean Petri dish to ultraviolet light for three to five minutes in a deep UV cleaner. When done, position the PDMS chamber over the cover slip such that the two surfaces directly exposed to UV are put in contact.To remove air bubbles trapped at the PDMS cover slip interface, gently press the surface of the chamber with a finger. Press strongly over corners and sides, ensuring that the chamber's ceiling does not come in contact with the glass surface. Place the chamber with the glass bottom facing the hot plate at 100 degrees Celsius for five minutes.Then use the chamber immediately, or store it in a clean Petri dish for a week. To rinse the inlet and outlet tubing, fill one 2 milliliter reservoir tube with 300 microliters of F-buffer, screw it on the microfluidic holder, and set the pressure to 300 millibars. Let five to eight drops of F-buffer go to waste, then set pressure to zero and repeat the procedure for each channel.Next, set the pressure for the outlet on reservoir tube four to 50 millibars, once a droplet comes out from the tubing tip, connect the tubing to the outlet of the PDMS chamber. As the liquid fills the chamber and comes out of all inlets, set the outlet pressure to 20 millibars. Later, set the pressure for the reservoir tube to 1 to 50 millibars.To avoid introducing air bubbles, ensure that a droplet comes out of the tubing and the PDMS inlet before connecting the tubing to inlet one. Set the pressure of the inlet to 30 millibars. After connecting the inlets two and three as demonstrated, set the pressure of all inlets to 20 millibars, and the outlet pressure to zero millibars.Ensure that the flow rates in the inlets are roughly equal. When changing the reservoir, set all inlet pressures to 12 millibars and outlet pressure to 5 millibars. To rapidly inject a solution, set the pressure of the corresponding inlet to 150 millibars, and adjust the pressure in the other inlets to around 100 millibars, such that the resulting flow rate in the inlets is 500 nanoliters per minute.To change the solution, fill 200 to 300 microliters of the solution in a new reservoir tube and set the pressure to the change setting. Then, unscrew the reservoir tube of the inlet. Once a small droplet has formed at the tubing tip, screw in the new tube with the fresh solution, change the pressure setting to high flow.Depending on the microfluidic configuration and a chamber geometry, wait for three to five minutes for the solution to fill in the tubing and reach the chamber. The process can be followed by measuring the increase in fluorescence over time. For the surface functionalization, change solution three to 200 microliters of 50 picomolar spectrin-actin seeds in F-buffer, and inject the solution for two minutes with high flow three.For the surface passivation, change tube three with 300 microliters of 5%BSA in F-buffer, then, inject for five minutes at high flow three, followed by five minutes at mid flow three, with reduced pressure of seven to eight millibars in channels one and two to get a counterflow of 100 nanoliters per minute. The entire chamber surface will be BSA passivated. Change tube three to F-buffer to rinse the channel for five minutes at high flow three.Later, change tubes one to three with one micromolar actin profilin, 0.15 micromolar actin, and F buffer, respectively, as explained in the manuscript, and inject freshly prepared solutions using the high flow all preset for three to four minutes. Switch on the microscope and adjust the camera exposure time to 100 to 200 milliseconds, excitation laser to 10 to 20%power, and total internal reflection fluorescence, or TIRF depth, at 200 to 300 nanometers to capture the images with a 60X objective. Next, set the pressure setting to mid flow one for 10 minutes to record the filament polymerization at the rate of one frame every 20 seconds, followed by mid flow two for 15 minutes for filament aging.Capture depolymerization in the epifluorescence mode at one frame every five seconds, after one to two frames, switch to mid flow three to record filaments depolymerizing at around 10 subunits per second. To reset the experiment, break all fluorescently labeled filaments by continuously exposing them to the laser at maximum power for two minutes. Test different conditions by changing solutions one, two, or three and injecting them at high flow for three to four minutes.The outcome of the basic polymerization/depolymerization experiment is presented here. The resultant kymographs were used to quantify the polymerization and depolymerization rates. When the grown actin filaments were exposed to a fluorescently labeled cofilin solution, cofilin clusters were nucleated and grew toward the pointed and barbed ends.When single filaments are exposed to fascin they form bundles that appear brighter and not perfectly aligned with the flow. It is very important to avoid introducing air bubbles in the system when changing tubes and pay attention not to get reservoir tubes empty. This technique was critical to apply pulling forces over tens of single filaments, look at formin and cofilin mechanical sensitivity, and ARP2/3 debranching.

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