Systematic Interrogation of Cellular Signaling in Live Cells using a Membrane‐anchored DNA Multitasking Processor

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Chen ◽  
Zhifei Xu ◽  
Shiwei Li ◽  
Hong Liang ◽  
Chen Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Signaling ◽  
Live Cells

scholarly journals Intracellular Ionic Strength Sensing Using NanoLuc

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 677
Author(s):  
Tausif Altamash ◽  
Wesam Ahmed ◽  
Saad Rasool ◽  
Kabir H. Biswas
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Phase Separation ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Ionic Strength ◽  
Cellular Signaling ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Protein Activity ◽  
Cellular Survival ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Wide Range

Intracellular ionic strength regulates myriad cellular processes that are fundamental to cellular survival and proliferation, including protein activity, aggregation, phase separation, and cell volume. It could be altered by changes in the activity of cellular signaling pathways, such as those that impact the activity of membrane-localized ion channels or by alterations in the microenvironmental osmolarity. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of sensitive tools for real-time monitoring of intracellular ionic strength. Here, we developed a bioluminescence-based intracellular ionic strength sensing strategy using the Nano Luciferase (NanoLuc) protein that has gained tremendous utility due to its high, long-lived bioluminescence output and thermal stability. Biochemical experiments using a recombinantly purified protein showed that NanoLuc bioluminescence is dependent on the ionic strength of the reaction buffer for a wide range of ionic strength conditions. Importantly, the decrease in the NanoLuc activity observed at higher ionic strengths could be reversed by decreasing the ionic strength of the reaction, thus making it suitable for sensing intracellular ionic strength alterations. Finally, we used an mNeonGreen–NanoLuc fusion protein to successfully monitor ionic strength alterations in a ratiometric manner through independent fluorescence and bioluminescence measurements in cell lysates and live cells. We envisage that the biosensing strategy developed here for detecting alterations in intracellular ionic strength will be applicable in a wide range of experiments, including high throughput cellular signaling, ion channel functional genomics, and drug discovery.

scholarly journals Development of an Acrylamide-Based Inhibitor of Protein S-Acylation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saara-Anne Azizi ◽  
Tong Lan ◽  
Clémence Delalande ◽  
Rahul Kathayat ◽  
Bryan Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
Cell Signaling ◽  
Human Disease ◽  
Cellular Signaling ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Synthesis And Characterization ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Target Proteins ◽  
Cellular Events

<div><div><div><p>Protein S-acylation is a dynamic lipid post-translational modification that can modulate the localization and activity of target proteins. In humans, the installation of the lipid onto target proteins is catalyzed by a family of 23 Asp-His-His-Cys domain-containing protein acyltransferases (DHHC-PATs). DHHCs are increasingly recognized as critical players in cellular signaling events and in human disease. However, progress elucidating the functions and mechanisms of DHHC “writers” has been hampered by a lack of chemical tools to perturb their activity in live cells. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of PATi, a pan- DHHC inhibitor more potent than 2-bromopalmitate (2BP), the most commonly used DHHC inhibitor in the field. Possessing an acrylamide warhead, PATi pairs its gain in potency with decreases in both toxicity and inhibition of the S-acylation eraser enzymes – two of the major weaknesses of 2BP. Our studies show that PATi engages with DHHC family proteins in cells, inhibits protein S-acylation, and disrupts DHHC-regulated cellular events. PATi represents an improved chemical tool for untangling the complexities of DHHC-mediated cell signaling by protein S-acylation.</p></div></div></div>

scholarly journals Exploring cells with targeted biosensors

2016 ◽  
Vol 149 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Pendin ◽  
Elisa Greotti ◽  
Konstantinos Lefkimmiatis ◽  
Tullio Pozzan
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Temporal Pattern ◽  
Cellular Signaling ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Signaling Networks ◽  
Form Complex ◽  
Intracellular Compartments ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Cellular Compartments ◽  
Protein Sensors

Cellular signaling networks are composed of multiple pathways, often interconnected, that form complex networks with great potential for cross-talk. Signal decoding depends on the nature of the message as well as its amplitude, temporal pattern, and spatial distribution. In addition, the existence of membrane-bound organelles, which are both targets and generators of messages, add further complexity to the system. The availability of sensors that can localize to specific compartments in live cells and monitor their targets with high spatial and temporal resolution is thus crucial for a better understanding of cell pathophysiology. For this reason, over the last four decades, a variety of strategies have been developed, not only to generate novel and more sensitive probes for ions, metabolites, and enzymatic activity, but also to selectively deliver these sensors to specific intracellular compartments. In this review, we summarize the principles that have been used to target organic or protein sensors to different cellular compartments and their application to cellular signaling.

scholarly journals Development of an Acrylamide-Based Inhibitor of Protein S-Acylation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saara-Anne Azizi ◽  
Tong Lan ◽  
Clémence Delalande ◽  
Rahul Kathayat ◽  
Bryan Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
Cell Signaling ◽  
Human Disease ◽  
Cellular Signaling ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Synthesis And Characterization ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Target Proteins ◽  
Cellular Events

<div><div><div><p>Protein S-acylation is a dynamic lipid post-translational modification that can modulate the localization and activity of target proteins. In humans, the installation of the lipid onto target proteins is catalyzed by a family of 23 Asp-His-His-Cys domain-containing protein acyltransferases (DHHC-PATs). DHHCs are increasingly recognized as critical players in cellular signaling events and in human disease. However, progress elucidating the functions and mechanisms of DHHC “writers” has been hampered by a lack of chemical tools to perturb their activity in live cells. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of PATi, a pan- DHHC inhibitor more potent than 2-bromopalmitate (2BP), the most commonly used DHHC inhibitor in the field. Possessing an acrylamide warhead, PATi pairs its gain in potency with decreases in both toxicity and inhibition of the S-acylation eraser enzymes – two of the major weaknesses of 2BP. Our studies show that PATi engages with DHHC family proteins in cells, inhibits protein S-acylation, and disrupts DHHC-regulated cellular events. PATi represents an improved chemical tool for untangling the complexities of DHHC-mediated cell signaling by protein S-acylation.</p></div></div></div>

4-dimensional, high-resolution imaging of living cells

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 416-417
Author(s):  
Shinya Inoué
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscope ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Video Tape ◽  
Active Living ◽  
High Resolution Imaging ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Dynamic Architecture ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Disk Memory

This paper reports progress of our effort to rapidly capture, and display in time-lapsed mode, the 3-dimensional dynamic architecture of active living cells and developing embryos at the highest resolution of the light microscope. Our approach entails: (A) real-time video tape recording of through-focal, ultrathin optical sections of live cells at the highest resolution of the light microscope; (B) repeat of A at time-lapsed intervals; (C) once each time-lapsed interval, an image at home focus is recorded onto Optical Disk Memory Recorder (OMDR); (D) periods of interest are selected using the OMDR and video tape records; (E) selected stacks of optical sections are converted into plane projections representing different view angles (±4 degrees for stereo view, additional angles when revolving stereos are desired); (F) analysis using A - D.

Multi-mode light microscopy of microtubule assembly dynamics and chromosome movement in vivo and In vitro

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 730-731
Author(s):  
E. D. Salmon ◽  
J. C. Waters ◽  
C. Waterman-Storer
Keyword(s):  
Imaging System ◽  
Ccd Camera ◽  
Transmitted Light ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Optical Efficiency ◽  
Multiple Band ◽  
Multi Mode

We have developed a multi-mode digital imaging system which acquires images with a cooled CCD camera (Figure 1). A multiple band pass dichromatic mirror and robotically controlled filter wheels provide wavelength selection for epi-fluorescence. Shutters select illumination either by epi-fluorescence or by transmitted light for phase contrast or DIC. Many of our experiments involve investigations of spindle assembly dynamics and chromosome movements in live cells or unfixed reconstituted preparations in vitro in which photodamage and phototoxicity are major concerns. As a consequence, a major factor in the design was optical efficiency: achieving the highest image quality with the least number of illumination photons. This principle applies to both epi-fluorescence and transmitted light imaging modes. In living cells and extracts, microtubules are visualized using X-rhodamine labeled tubulin. Photoactivation of C2CF-fluorescein labeled tubulin is used to locally mark microtubules in studies of microtubule dynamics and translocation. Chromosomes are labeled with DAPI or Hoechst DNA intercalating dyes.

Characterization of a Motile Cellular Domain Arising During the Amoebo-Flagellate Transformation of Physarum Polycephalum

1980 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 552-553
Author(s):  
K.I. Pagh ◽  
M.R. Adelman
Keyword(s):  
Cell Shape ◽  
Physarum Polycephalum ◽  
Slime Mold ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Cellular Domain

Unicellular amoebae of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum undergo marked changes in cell shape and motility during their conversion into flagellate swimming cells (l). To understand the processes underlying motile activities expressed during the amoebo-flagellate transformation, we have undertaken detailed investigations of the organization, formation and functions of subcellular structures or domains of the cell which are hypothesized to play a role in movement. One focus of our studies is on a structure, termed the “ridge” which appears as a flattened extension of the periphery along the length of transforming cells (Fig. 1). Observations of live cells using Nomarski optics reveal two types of movement in this region:propagation of undulations along the length of the ridge and formation and retraction of filopodial projections from its edge. The differing activities appear to be associated with two characteristic morphologies, illustrated in Fig. 1.

A Photoactivable Formaldehyde Donor with Fluorescence Monitoring Reveals Threshold to Arrest Cell Migration

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas P Smaga ◽  
Nicholas W Pino ◽  
Gabriela E Ibarra ◽  
Vishnu Krishnamurthy ◽  
Jefferson Chan
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Fluorescence Enhancement ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Cellular Systems ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
First Report ◽  
Cell Lysate ◽  
Intracellular Release ◽  
Biological Analytes

Controlled light-mediated delivery of biological analytes enables the investigation of highly reactivity molecules within cellular systems. As many biological effects are concentration dependent, it is critical to determine the location, time, and quantity of analyte donation. In this work, we have developed the first photoactivatable donor for formaldehyde (FA). Our optimized photoactivatable donor, photoFAD-3, is equipped with a fluorescence readout that enables monitoring of FA release with a concomitant 139-fold fluorescence enhancement. Tuning of photostability and cellular retention enabled quantification of intracellular FA release through cell lysate calibration. Application of photoFAD-3 uncovered the concentration range necessary for arresting wound healing in live cells. This marks the first report where a photoactivatable donor for any analyte has been used to quantify intracellular release.

α-Methylene-β-Lactone Probe for Measuring Live-Cell Reactions of Small Molecules

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Wang ◽  
Louis Riel ◽  
Bekim Bajrami ◽  
Bin Deng ◽  
Amy Howell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectra ◽  
Live Cell ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Proteomics Analysis ◽  
Chemical Proteomics ◽  
Tandem Mass Spectra ◽  
Modified Peptides ◽  
Covalent Probes ◽  
Ht 29

The novel use of the α-methylene-β-lactone (MeLac) moiety as a warhead of multiple electrophilic sites is reported. In this study, we demonstrate that a MeLac-alkyne is a competent covalent probe and reacts with diverse proteins in live cells. Proteomics analysis of affinity-enriched samples identifies probe-reacted proteins, resolves their modified peptides/residues, and thus characterizes probe-protein reactions. Unique methods are developed to evaluate confidence in the identification of the reacted proteins and modified peptides. Tandem mass spectra of the peptides reveal that MeLac reacts with nucleophilic cysteine, serine, lysine, threonine, and tyrosine residues, through either Michael addition or acyl addition. A peptide-centric proteomics platform, using MeLac-alkyne as the measurement probe, successfully analyzes the Orlistat selectivity in live HT-29 cells. MeLac is a versatile warhead demonstrating enormous potential to expedite the development of covalent probes and inhibitors in interrogating protein (re)activity. MeLac-empowered platforms in chemical proteomics are widely adaptable for measuring the live-cell action of reactive molecules.

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