[Confocal laser scanning microscopy for the study of membrane transporter proteins]

Confocal laser scanning microscopy, in combination with fluorescent probes including fluorescence labelled antibodies, enables us to obtain optical sectioning images of fixed and living biological samples. It is a powerful method for studies of membrane transporter proteins in that it provides information on the spatial distribution of not only the transporter proteins themselves, but also the molecules and ions they transport. In the near future, it may also provide information on molecular interaction between and conformation changes of various proteins with the aid of new type of fluorescent probes which utilize the fluorescence resonance energy transfer phenomenon.