In Vivo Imaging of Signal Transduction Cascades with Probes Based on Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)

Author(s):  
Takeshi Nakamura ◽  
Michiyuki Matsuda
2008 ◽  
Vol 363 (1500) ◽  
pp. 2143-2151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhiro Aoki ◽  
Etsuko Kiyokawa ◽  
Takeshi Nakamura ◽  
Michiyuki Matsuda

Fluorescence probes based on the principle of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) have shed new light on our understanding of signal transduction cascades. Among them, unimolecular FRET probes containing fluorescence proteins are rapidly increasing in number because these genetically encoded probes can be easily loaded into living cells and allow simple acquisition of FRET images. We have developed probes for small GTPases, tyrosine kinases, serine–threonine kinases and phosphoinositides. Images obtained with these probes have revealed that membrane protrusions such as nascent lamellipodia or neurites provide an active signalling platform in the growth factor-stimulated cells.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayuri Sadoine ◽  
Mira Reger ◽  
Ka Man Wong ◽  
Wolf B. Frommer

ABSTRACTGenetically encoded fluorescent sugar sensors are valuable tools for the discovery of transporters and for quantitative monitoring of sugar steady-state levels in intact tissues. Genetically encoded Förster Resonance Energy Transfer sensors for glucose have been designed and optimized extensively, and a full series of affinity mutants is available for in vivo studies. However, to date, only a single improved sensor FLIPsuc-90µΔ1 with a Km for sucrose of ∼90 µM is available for sucrose monitoring. This sucrose sensor was engineered on the basis of an Agrobacterium tumefaciens sugar binding protein. Here, we took a two-step approach to first systematically improve the dynamic range of the FLIPsuc nanosensor and then expand the detection range from micromolar to millimolar sucrose concentrations by mutating a key residue in the binding site. The resulting series of sucrose sensors may allow systematic investigation of sucrose transporter candidates and comprehensive in vivo analyses of sucrose concentration in plants. Since FLIPsuc-90µ also detects trehalose in animal cells, the new series of sensors can be used to investigate trehalose transporter candidates and monitor trehalose steady-state levels in vivo as well.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1131-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edyta Swider ◽  
Sanish Maharjan ◽  
Karlijne Houkes ◽  
Nicolaas Koen van Riessen ◽  
Carl Figdor ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 50 (36) ◽  
pp. 6583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vadim Y. Soloviev ◽  
James McGinty ◽  
Daniel W. Stuckey ◽  
Romain Laine ◽  
Marzena Wylezinska-Arridge ◽  
...  

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (10) ◽  
pp. 948-962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Li ◽  
Jinliang Li ◽  
Eliana C. Martinez ◽  
Alexander Froese ◽  
Catherine L. Passariello ◽  
...  

Background: The Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin is a key regulator of cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in disease. An unexplained paradox is how the β isoform of the calcineurin catalytic A-subunit (CaNAβ) is required for induction of pathological myocyte hypertrophy, despite calcineurin Aα expression in the same cells. It is unclear how the pleiotropic second messenger Ca 2+ drives excitation–contraction coupling while not stimulating hypertrophy by calcineurin in the normal heart. Elucidation of the mechanisms conferring this selectivity in calcineurin signaling should reveal new strategies for targeting the phosphatase in disease. Methods: Primary adult rat ventricular myocytes were studied for morphology and intracellular signaling. New Förster resonance energy transfer reporters were used to assay Ca 2+ and calcineurin activity in living cells. Conditional gene deletion and adeno-associated virus–mediated gene delivery in the mouse were used to study calcineurin signaling after transverse aortic constriction in vivo. Results: CIP4 (Cdc42-interacting protein 4)/TRIP10 (thyroid hormone receptor interactor 10) was identified as a new polyproline domain-dependent scaffold for CaNAβ2 by yeast 2-hybrid screen. Cardiac myocyte–specific CIP4 gene deletion in mice attenuated pressure overload–induced pathological cardiac remodeling and heart failure. Blockade of CaNAβ polyproline-dependent anchoring using a competing peptide inhibited concentric hypertrophy in cultured myocytes; disruption of anchoring in vivo using an adeno-associated virus gene therapy vector inhibited cardiac hypertrophy and improved systolic function after pressure overload. Live cell Förster resonance energy transfer biosensor imaging of cultured myocytes revealed that Ca 2+ levels and calcineurin activity associated with the CIP4 compartment were increased by neurohormonal stimulation, but minimally by pacing. Conversely, Ca 2+ levels and calcineurin activity detected by nonlocalized Förster resonance energy transfer sensors were induced by pacing and minimally by neurohormonal stimulation, providing functional evidence for differential intracellular compartmentation of Ca 2+ and calcineurin signal transduction. Conclusions: These results support a structural model for Ca 2+ and CaNAβ compartmentation in cells based on an isoform-specific mechanism for calcineurin protein–protein interaction and localization. This mechanism provides an explanation for the specific role of CaNAβ in hypertrophy and its selective activation under conditions of pathologic stress. Disruption of CaNAβ polyproline-dependent anchoring constitutes a rational strategy for therapeutic targeting of CaNAβ-specific signaling responsible for pathological cardiac remodeling in cardiovascular disease deserving of further preclinical investigation.


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