Search PubMed⌕ Search

PubMed · 10958388

Three-dimensional microscopy data exploration by interactive volume visualization.

Abstract

This paper presents a new volume visualization approach for three-dimensional (3-D) interactive microscopy data exploration. Because of their unique image characteristics, 3-D microscopy data are often not able to be visualized effectively by conventional volume visualization techniques. In our approach, microscopy visualization is carried out in an interactive data exploration environment, based on a combination of interactive volume rendering techniques and image-based transfer function design methods. Interactive volume rendering is achieved by using two-dimensional (2-D) texture mapping in a Shear-Warp volume rendering algorithm. Image processing techniques are employed and integrated into the rendering pipeline for the definition and searching of appropriate transfer functions that best reflect the user's visualization intentions. These techniques have been implemented successfully in a prototype visualization system on low-end and middle-range SGI desktop workstations. Since only 2-D texture mapping is required, the system can also be easily ported to PC platforms.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

S Fang, Y Dai, F Myers, M Tuceryan, K Dunn. Three-dimensional microscopy data exploration by interactive volume visualization.. https://doi.org/10.1002/sca.4950220310

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Nap1-mediated actin remodeling is essential for mammalian myoblast fusion.

Myoblast fusion is crucial for the formation, growth, maintenance and regeneration of healthy skeletal muscle. Unfortunately, the molecular machinery, cell behaviors, and membrane and cytoskeletal remodeling events that govern fusion and myofiber formation remain poorly understood. Using time-lapse imaging approaches on mouse C2C12 myoblasts, we identify discrete and specific molecular events at myoblast membranes during fusion and myotube formation. These events include rearrangement of cell shape from fibroblast to spindle-like morphologies, changes in lamellipodial and filopodial extensions during different periods of differentiation, and changes in membrane alignment and organization during fusion. We find that actin-cytoskeleton remodeling is crucial for these events: pharmacological inhibition of F-actin polymerization leads to decreased lamellipodial and filopodial extensions and to reduced myoblast fusion. Additionally, shRNA-mediated inhibition of Nap1, a member of the WAVE actin-remodeling complex, results in accumulations of F-actin structures at the plasma membrane that are concomitant with a decrease in myoblast fusion. Our data highlight distinct and essential roles for actin cytoskeleton remodeling during mammalian myoblast fusion, provide a platform for cellular and molecular dissection of the fusion process, and suggest a functional conservation of Nap1-regulated actin-cytoskeleton remodeling during myoblast fusion between mammals and Drosophila.

Actins↗

Immunoprecipitation of DNA-protein complexes cross-linked by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum.

For the study of in vitro and in vivo DNA-protein interactions, cross-linking reactions driven by UV or formaldehyde have been frequently used, followed by standard protocols of immunoprecipitation and analysis of the DNA isolated from the complexes. Here we present a basically modified method to analyze the DNA-protein cross-linked complexes obtained by an alternative cross-linking reagent. The innovations presented here include cross-linking by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II, a fast method to isolate DNA-protein complexes using gel-filtration chromatography, and a modified procedure to obtain specific immunocomplexes that can be analyzed either for DNA or for protein content. The application of this method to two nuclear proteins from chicken liver nuclei is described.

Actins↗

Further characterization of the interaction between the cytoskeletal proteins talin and vinculin.

The cytoskeletal protein talin, which is thought to couple integrins to F-actin, contains three binding sites (VBS1-VBS3) for vinculin, a protein implicated in the negative regulation of cell motility and whose activity is modulated by an intramolecular interaction between the vinculin head (Vh) and vinculin tail (Vt) domains. In the present study we show that recombinant talin polypeptides containing the three VBSs (VBS1, residues 498-636; VBS2, residues 727-965; and VBS3, residues 1943-2157) each bind tightly to the same or overlapping sites within vinculin(1-258). A short synthetic talin VBS3 peptide (residues 1944-1969) was sufficient to inhibit binding of a (125)I-labelled talin VBS3 polypeptide to vinculin(1-258), and NMR spectroscopy confirmed that this peptide forms a 1:1 complex in slow exchange with vinculin(1-258). Binding of the (125)I-labelled VBS3 polypeptide was markedly temperature dependent, but was not inhibited by 1 M salt or 10% (v/v) 2-methyl-2-propanol. Attempts to further define the talin-binding site within vinculin(1-258) using a gel-blot assay were unsuccessful, but near maximal talin-binding activity was retained by a construct spanning vinculin residues 1-131 in a yeast two-hybrid assay. Interestingly, the talin VBS3 polypeptide was a potent inhibitor of the Vh-Vt interaction, and the VBS3 synthetic peptide was able to expose the actin-binding site in intact vinculin, which is otherwise masked by the Vh-Vt interaction. The results suggest that under certain conditions, talin may be an effective activator of vinculin.

Actins↗