scholarly journals A yeast FRET biosensor enlightens cAMP signalling

2021 ◽  
pp. mbc.E20-05-0319
Author(s):  
Dennis Botman ◽  
Tom G. O'Toole ◽  
Joachim Goedhart ◽  
Frank J. Bruggeman ◽  
Johan H. van Heerden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Peak Height ◽  
Metabolic Adaptation ◽  
Single Cell Level ◽  
Cell Level ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Changing Environments ◽  
Intracellular Metabolism ◽  
Signalling Cascade

The cAMP-PKA signalling cascade in budding yeast regulates adaptation to changing environments. We developed yEPAC, a FRET-based biosensor for cAMP measurements in yeast. We used this sensor with flow cytometry for high-throughput single cell-level quantification during dynamic changes in response to sudden nutrient transitions. We found that the characteristic cAMP peak differentiates between different carbon source transitions, and is rather homogenous among single-cells, especially for transitions to glucose. The peaks are mediated by a combination of extracellular sensing and intracellular metabolism. Moreover, the cAMP peak follows the Weber-Fechner law; its height scales with the relative, and not the absolute, change in glucose. Lastly, our results suggest that the cAMP peak height conveys information about prospective growth rates. In conclusion, our yEPAC-sensor makes possible new avenues for understanding yeast physiology, signalling and metabolic adaptation. [Media: see text]

scholarly journals A yeast FRET biosensor enlightens cAMP signalling

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Botman ◽  
Tom G. O’Toole ◽  
Joachim Goedhart ◽  
Frank J. Bruggeman ◽  
Johan H. van Heerden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Peak Height ◽  
Metabolic Adaptation ◽  
Single Cell Level ◽  
Cell Level ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Changing Environments ◽  
Intracellular Metabolism ◽  
Signalling Cascade

AbstractThe cAMP-PKA signalling cascade in budding yeast regulates adaptation to changing environments. We developed yEPAC, a FRET-based biosensor for cAMP measurements in yeast. We used this sensor with flow cytometry for high-throughput single cell-level quantification during dynamic changes in response to sudden nutrient transitions. We found that the characteristic cAMP peak differentiates between different carbon source transitions, and is rather homogenous among single-cells, especially for transitions to glucose. The peaks are mediated by a combination of extracellular sensing and intracellular metabolism. Moreover, the cAMP peak follows Weber’s law; its height scales with the relative, and not the absolute, change in glucose. Lastly, our results suggest that the cAMP peak height conveys information about prospective growth rates. In conclusion, our yEPAC-sensor makes possible new avenues for understanding yeast physiology, signalling and metabolic adaptation.

scholarly journals Microfluidic Platforms Designed for Morphological and Photosynthetic Investigations of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii on a Single-Cell Level

Cells ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 285
Author(s):  
Eszter Széles ◽  
Krisztina Nagy ◽  
Ágnes Ábrahám ◽  
Sándor Kovács ◽  
Anna Podmaniczki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Fluorescence Induction ◽  
Photochemical Quenching ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Single Cell Level ◽  
Microfluidic Platforms ◽  
Cell Level ◽  
Non Photochemical Quenching

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a model organism of increasing biotechnological importance, yet, the evaluation of its life cycle processes and photosynthesis on a single-cell level is largely unresolved. To facilitate the study of the relationship between morphology and photochemistry, we established microfluidics in combination with chlorophyll a fluorescence induction measurements. We developed two types of microfluidic platforms for single-cell investigations: (i) The traps of the “Tulip” device are suitable for capturing and immobilizing single cells, enabling the assessment of their photosynthesis for several hours without binding to a solid support surface. Using this “Tulip” platform, we performed high-quality non-photochemical quenching measurements and confirmed our earlier results on bulk cultures that non-photochemical quenching is higher in ascorbate-deficient mutants (Crvtc2-1) than in the wild-type. (ii) The traps of the “Pot” device were designed for capturing single cells and allowing the growth of the daughter cells within the traps. Using our most performant “Pot” device, we could demonstrate that the FV/FM parameter, an indicator of photosynthetic efficiency, varies considerably during the cell cycle. Our microfluidic devices, therefore, represent versatile platforms for the simultaneous morphological and photosynthetic investigations of C. reinhardtii on a single-cell level.

scholarly journals Response of Listeria monocytogenes to Disinfection Stress at the Single-Cell and Population Levels as Monitored by Intracellular pH Measurements and Viable-Cell Counts

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (13) ◽  
pp. 4550-4556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky G. Kastbjerg ◽  
Dennis S. Nielsen ◽  
Nils Arneborg ◽  
Lone Gram
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Intracellular Ph ◽  
Bacterial Population ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Viable Cell ◽  
Population Subdivision ◽  
Single Cell Level ◽  
Cell Level ◽  
Cell Counts

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes has a remarkable ability to survive and persist in food production environments. The purpose of the present study was to determine if cells in a population of L. monocytogenes differ in sensitivity to disinfection agents as this could be a factor explaining persistence of the bacterium. In situ analyses of Listeria monocytogenes single cells were performed during exposure to different concentrations of the disinfectant Incimaxx DES to study a possible population subdivision. Bacterial survival was quantified with plate counting and disinfection stress at the single-cell level by measuring intracellular pH (pHi) over time by fluorescence ratio imaging microscopy. pHi values were initially 7 to 7.5 and decreased in both attached and planktonic L. monocytogenes cells during exposure to sublethal and lethal concentrations of Incimaxx DES. The response of the bacterial population was homogenous; hence, subpopulations were not detected. However, pregrowth with NaCl protected the planktonic bacterial cells during disinfection with Incimaxx (0.0015%) since pHi was higher (6 to 6.5) for the bacterial population pregrown with NaCl than for cells grown without NaCl (pHi 5 to 5.5) (P < 0.05). The protective effect of NaCl was reflected by viable-cell counts at a higher concentration of Incimaxx (0.0031%), where the salt-grown population survived better than the population grown without NaCl (P < 0.05). NaCl protected attached cells through drying but not during disinfection. This study indicates that a population of L. monocytogenes cells, whether planktonic or attached, is homogenous with respect to sensitivity to an acidic disinfectant studied on the single-cell level. Hence a major subpopulation more tolerant to disinfectants, and hence more persistent, does not appear to be present.

scholarly journals Combined Molecular Genetic and Cytogenetic Analysis from Single Cells after Isothermal Whole-Genome Amplification

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 1032-1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Kroneis ◽  
Jochen B Geigl ◽  
Amin El-Heliebi ◽  
Martina Auer ◽  
Peter Ulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Whole Genome Amplification ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Single Cell Level ◽  
Cell Level ◽  
Genome Amplification

BACKGROUND Analysis of chromosomal aberrations or single-gene disorders from rare fetal cells circulating in the blood of pregnant women requires verification of the cells' genomic identity. We have developed a method enabling multiple analyses at the single-cell level that combines verification of the genomic identity of microchimeric cells with molecular genetic and cytogenetic diagnosis. METHODS We used a model system of peripheral blood mononuclear cells spiked with a colon adenocarcinoma cell line and immunofluorescence staining for cytokeratin in combination with DNA staining with the nuclear dye TO-PRO-3 in a preliminary study to define candidate microchimeric (tumor) cells in Cytospin preparations. After laser microdissection, we performed low-volume on-chip isothermal whole-genome amplification (iWGA) of single and pooled cells. RESULTS DNA fingerprint analysis of iWGA aliquots permitted successful identification of all analyzed candidate microchimeric cell preparations (6 samples of pooled cells, 7 samples of single cells). Sequencing of 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms was successful at the single-cell level for 20 of 32 allelic loci. Metaphase comparative genomic hybridization (mCGH) with iWGA products of single cells showed the gains and losses known to be present in the genomic DNA of the target cells. CONCLUSIONS This method may be instrumental in cell-based noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. Furthermore, the possibility to perform mCGH with amplified DNA from single cells offers a perspective for the analysis of nonmicrochimeric rare cells exhibiting genomic alterations, such as circulating tumor cells.

scholarly journals High-throughput detection of miRNAs and gene-specific mRNA at the single-cell level by flow cytometry

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippos Porichis ◽  
Meghan G. Hart ◽  
Morgane Griesbeck ◽  
Holly L. Everett ◽  
Muska Hassan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Single Cell Level ◽  
Cell Level ◽  
High Throughput Detection ◽  
Specific Mrna

scholarly journals Microsphere cytometry to interrogate microenvironment-dependent cell signaling

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henriette Christie Ertsås ◽  
Garry P. Nolan ◽  
Mark A. LaBarge ◽  
James B. Lorens
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Cell Signaling ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Adherent Cell ◽  
Single Cell Level ◽  
Cell Level ◽  
Dependent Cell

A novel microsphere-based flow cytometry approach to study adherent cell signaling responses in different microenvironmental contexts at the single cell level.

scholarly journals An improved ATP FRET sensor for yeast shows heterogeneity during nutrient transitions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Botman ◽  
Johan H. van Heerden ◽  
Bas Teusink
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Dynamic Environments ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Single Cell Level ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cell Level ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Atp Levels ◽  
Small Subpopulation

AbstractAdenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP) is the main free energy carrier in metabolism. In budding yeast, shifts to glucose-rich conditions cause dynamic changes in ATP levels, but it is unclear how heterogeneous these dynamics are at the single-cell level. Furthermore, pH also changes and affects readout of fluorescence-based biosensors for single-cell measurements. To measure ATP changes reliably in single yeast cells, we developed yAT1.03, an adapted version of the AT1.03 ATP biosensor, that is pH-insensitive. We show that pregrowth conditions largely affect ATP dynamics during transitions. Moreover, single-cell analyses showed a large variety in ATP responses, which implies large differences of glycolytic startup between individual cells. We found three clusters of dynamic responses, and show that a small subpopulation of wild type cells reached an imbalanced state during glycolytic startup, characterised by low ATP levels. These results confirm the need for new tools to study dynamic responses of individual cells in dynamic environments.

scholarly journals Unfolding and identification of membrane proteins from native cell membranes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Galvanetto ◽  
Sourav Maity ◽  
Nina Ilieva ◽  
Zhongjie Ye ◽  
Alessandro Laio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Total Content ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Single Cell Level ◽  
Cell Level ◽  
Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy ◽  
Native Cell ◽  
Different Cell Types

AbstractIs the mechanical unfolding of proteins just a technological feat applicable only to synthetic preparations or can it provide useful information even for real biological samples? Here, we describe a pipeline for analyzing native membranes based on high throughput single-molecule force spectroscopy. The protocol includes a technique for the isolation of the plasma membrane of single cells. Afterwards, one harvests hundreds of thousands SMSF traces from the sample. Finally, one characterizes and identifies the embedded membrane proteins. This latter step is the cornerstone of our approach and involves combining, within a Bayesian framework, the information of the shape of the SMFS Force-distance which are observed more frequently, with the information from Mass Spectrometry and from proteomic databases (Uniprot, PDB). We applied this method to four cell types where we classified the unfolding of 5-10% of their total content of membrane proteins. The ability to mechanically probe membrane proteins directly in their native membrane enables the phenotyping of different cell types with almost single-cell level of resolution.

scholarly journals Generation of genetic tools for gauging multiple gene expression at single cell level

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Mellini ◽  
Massimiliano Lucidi ◽  
Francesco Imperi ◽  
Paolo Visca ◽  
Livia Leoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Image Processing ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Phenotypic Heterogeneity ◽  
Single Cell Level ◽  
Cell Level ◽  
Multiple Gene ◽  
Genetic Tools

Key microbial processes in many bacterial species are heterogeneously expressed in single cells of bacterial populations. However, the paucity of adequate molecular tools for live, real-time monitoring of multiple gene expression at the single cell level has limited the understanding of phenotypic heterogeneity. In order to investigate phenotypic heterogeneity in the ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a genetic tool that allows gauging multiple gene expression at the single cell level has been generated. This tool, named pRGC, consists in a promoter-probe vector for transcriptional fusions that carries three reporter genes coding for the fluorescent proteins mCherry, green fluorescent protein (GFP) and cyan fluorescent protein (CFP). The pRGC vector has been characterized and validated via single cell gene expression analysis of both constitutive and iron-regulated promoters, showing clear discrimination of the three fluorescence signals in single cells of a P. aeruginosa population, without the need of image-processing for spectral crosstalk correction. In addition, two pRGC variants have been generated for either i) integration of the reporter gene cassette into a single neutral site of P. aeruginosa chromosome, that is suitable for long-term experiments in the absence of antibiotic selection, or ii) replication in bacterial genera other than Pseudomonas. The easy-to-use genetic tools generated in this study will allow rapid and cost-effective investigation of multiple gene expression in populations of environmental and pathogenic bacteria, hopefully advancing the understanding of microbial phenotypic heterogeneity. IMPORTANCE Within a bacterial population single cells can differently express some genes, even though they are genetically identical and experience the same chemical and physical stimuli. This phenomenon, known as phenotypic heterogeneity, is mainly driven by gene expression noise and results in the emergence of bacterial sub-populations with distinct phenotypes. The analysis of gene expression at the single cell level has shown that phenotypic heterogeneity is associated with key bacterial processes, including competence, sporulation and persistence. In this study, new genetic tools have been generated that allow easy cloning of up to three promoters upstream of distinct fluorescent genes, making it possible to gauge multiple gene expression at the single cell level by fluorescent microscopy, without the need of advanced image-processing procedures. A proof of concept has been provided by investigating iron-uptake and iron-storage gene expression in response to iron availability in P. aeruginosa.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document