Ratiometric Fluorescence Probes for In Situ Imaging of Membrane Tension in Live Cells

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Membrane tension is crucial for cellular homeostasis and processes like migration, spreading, and division.
• Directly measuring membrane tension is challenging, limiting our understanding of these cellular dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a ratiometric fluorescent probe for sensitive and quantitative detection of membrane tension.
• To enable real-time monitoring of membrane tension changes under various cellular conditions.

Main Methods:

• Designed a ratiometric fluorescent probe by modifying polarity-sensitive fluorophores with specific carbon chain structures.
• Utilized fluorescence ratio imaging to correlate probe signal changes with membrane tension variations.
• Applied physical and chemical stimuli (osmotic shock, lipid peroxidation, mechanical stress) to induce changes in membrane tension.

Main Results:

• The developed probe demonstrated sensitivity to alterations in membrane tension.
• Increased membrane polarity, indicated by a decreased green/red fluorescence ratio, correlated with increased membrane tension.
• Quantitative calculation of relative membrane tension was achieved through fluorescence ratio imaging.

Conclusions:

• The novel ratiometric fluorescent probe is an efficient and sensitive tool for measuring membrane tension.
• This probe facilitates the study of cellular processes influenced by membrane tension dynamics.
• The quantitative measurement capability aids in understanding cellular responses to physical and chemical stimuli.