Analysis of confocal images using variable-width line profiles

A line profile of fluorescent intensities in confocal images is frequently examined. We have developed the computer software tool to analyse the profiles of intensities of fluorescent probes in confocal images. The software averages neighbouring pixels, adjacent to the central line, without reducing the spatial resolution of the image. As an experimental model, we have used the skeletal muscle fibre isolated from the rat skeletal muscle extensor digitorum brevis. As a marker of myofibrils' structure, we have used phalloidin-rhodamine staining and the anti-TIM antibody to label mitochondria. We also tested the distribution of the protein kinase B/Akt. Since signalling is ordered in modules and large protein complexes appear to direct signalling to organelles and regulate specific physiological functions, a software tool to analyse such complexes in fluorescent confocal images is required. The software displays the image, and the user defines the line for analysis. The image is rotated by the angle of the line. The line profile is calculated by averaging one dimension of the cropped rotated image matrix. The spatial resolution in averaged line profile is not decreased compared with single-pixel line profile, which was confirmed by the discrete Fourier transform computed with a fast Fourier transform algorithm. We conclude that the custom software tool presented here is a useful tool to analyse line profiles of fluorescence intensities in confocal images.