Cell membrane tracker based on restriction of intramolecular rotation
Chunqiu Zhang1, Shubin Jin, Keni Yang
1CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology , No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|June 1, 2014
Summary
Researchers developed TR4, a novel cell membrane tracker based on tetraphenylethylene (TPE) and palmitic acid (PA). TR4 utilizes restriction of intramolecular rotation (RIR) for specific cytoplasmic membrane labeling in cells.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Materials Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Tetraphenylethylene (TPE) is a luminogen whose fluorescence is activated by restriction of intramolecular rotation (RIR).
- Developing targeted fluorescent probes is crucial for cellular imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel cell membrane tracker, TR4, based on TPE.
- To evaluate TR4's efficacy in specifically labeling cell membranes through RIR.
Main Methods:
- Grafting TPE with palmitic acid (PA) onto a hydrophilic peptide to create TR4.
- Incorporating TR4 into liposomes.
- Incubating cells with TR4 and analyzing cytoplasmic membrane labeling.
Main Results:
- TR4 exhibited significant RIR characteristics when incorporated into liposomes.
- Specific labeling of cytoplasmic membranes was observed when cells were incubated with TR4.
- TR4 demonstrated excellent photostability and low cytotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- TR4 is an effective and stable fluorescent probe for specifically labeling cell membranes.
- The RIR mechanism provides a robust basis for TR4's imaging capabilities.
- TR4 shows potential for advanced cellular imaging applications due to its low cytotoxicity.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Mechanisms of Membrane-bending
2.6K
The living membranes are flexible due to their fluid mosaic nature; however, their bending into different shapes is an active process regulated by specific lipids and proteins. The membrane bending can be transient as seen in vesicles or stable for a long time as in microvilli. Cells regulate the size, location, and duration of the membrane curvature.
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
2.6K
01:23Membrane Fluidity
150.0K
Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.
150.0K
01:26Membrane Fluidity
13.9K
Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
13.9K
01:24Protein Diffusion in the Membrane
4.7K
Proteins show rotational as well as lateral diffusion across the membrane. The lateral diffusion of proteins was confirmed through the cell fusion experiment where mouse and human cells were fused, resulting in hybrid cells. When the human and mouse cells fused, the specific membrane proteins on human and mouse cells were marked with the red and green-fluorescent markers, respectively. Initially, the red and green fluorescence was located on the respective hemisphere of the cell. As time...
4.7K
01:19Membrane Asymmetry Regulating Transporters
6.0K
Enzymes like flippase, floppase, and scramblase transfer phospholipids from one layer to another in the membrane, thereby affecting membrane asymmetry.
Flippase
Eukaryotic flippases are type-IV P-type ATPases or P4-ATPases belonging to P-type ATPase family proteins that are membrane-bound pumps involved in the ATP-mediated transport of ions and molecules across the membrane. Flippases flip specific phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of a membrane. All P4-ATPases have one...
Flippase
Eukaryotic flippases are type-IV P-type ATPases or P4-ATPases belonging to P-type ATPase family proteins that are membrane-bound pumps involved in the ATP-mediated transport of ions and molecules across the membrane. Flippases flip specific phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of a membrane. All P4-ATPases have one...
6.0K
01:18Membrane Domains
6.2K
The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the...
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the...
6.2K