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Related Concept Videos

Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

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The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
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HAK-actin, a U-ExM-compatible probe to image the actin cytoskeleton.

Olivier Mercey1, Luc Reymond2, Florent Lemaître1

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Cell Reports Methods
|April 17, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed HAK-actin, a new probe for expansion microscopy (ExM). This tool enables clear visualization of actin filaments in various biological samples, overcoming limitations in super-resolution imaging.

Keywords:
CP: imagingactincryo-ExMcytoskeletonexpansion microscopyiU-ExMsuper resolution

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Microscopy
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a super-resolution technique that physically enlarges biological samples.
  • While ExM excels at visualizing microtubules, effective probes for actin filaments are limited.
  • Existing actin probes lack the robustness needed for diverse ExM applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a novel probe for visualizing actin filaments using ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM).
  • To provide a versatile and reliable tool for actin cytoskeleton imaging in various biological systems.

Main Methods:

  • Engineered a new actin probe, termed HAK-actin.
  • Tested HAK-actin compatibility with ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM).
  • Evaluated HAK-actin performance in human cells, microbial eukaryotes, and mouse retinal tissue.

Main Results:

  • HAK-actin demonstrated robust and uniform staining of actin filaments.
  • The probe proved effective across diverse biological samples, including cellular and tissue contexts.
  • HAK-actin facilitated high-resolution imaging of the actin cytoskeleton.

Conclusions:

  • HAK-actin is a versatile and reproducible probe for actin visualization via U-ExM.
  • This tool addresses a critical need for improved actin cytoskeleton imaging in cell biology.
  • HAK-actin enables enhanced super-resolution microscopy of actin structures.