Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “FRET”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Development of a time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay (cell TR-FRET) for protein detection on intact cells.

An assay named Cell TR-FRET based on time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer, here utilized for detection of receptor proteins on intact cells, is described. In this assay, intact membrane-biotinylated Sf9 cells expressing human interleukin-2Ralpha due to infection with a recombinant baculovirus were prelabeled with a streptavidin-europium (Eu(3+)) chelate, the donor. These prelabeled cells were used in a homogeneous assay by addition of a fluorochrome-labeled anti-hIL-2Ralpha-specific antibody, 7G7B6-Cy5, the acceptor. Binding of 7G7B6-Cy5 to hIL-2Ralpha expressed on the cell surface and europium-labeled streptavidin to surface biotin esters brings the donor and the acceptor in close proximity, allowing transfer of energy from the excited state donor to the acceptor. This energy transfer was specifically inhibited by unlabeled antibody and by free biotin. The described assay constitutes a general method since no specific component of the cell membrane is labeled, thereby allowing a number of binding studies on the cell membrane, including receptor density determinations, to be performed. In addition, due to the rapid fashion in which the Cell TR-FRET assay is accomplished, it can be a valuable method not only for identifying novel membrane-associated proteins, but also for drug screening of large samples in high-throughput format.

Animals↗

Time-resolved FRET and FLIM of four-way DNA junctions.

Conformational transitions in a 4-way DNA junction when titrated with ionic solutions are studied using time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Parameters characterising the transition in terms of critical ion concentration (c1/2) and the Hill coefficient for ion binding are obtained by fitting a simple two-state model using steady-state spectra. Data obtained from a fluorescence lifetime plate reader and analysed by fitting a single exponential to donor fluorescence lifetime decays are shown to be in good agreement with the parameters obtained from steady-state measurements. Fluorescence lifetimes, however, offer advantages, particularly in being independent of fluorophore concentration, output intensity, inhomogeneity in the excitation source and output wavelength. We demonstrate preliminary FRET-FLIM images of DNA junction solutions obtained using a picosecond gated CCD which are in agreement with results from a fluorescence lifetime plate reader. The results suggest that time-resolved FRET-FLIM is sensitive to subtle structural changes and may be useful in assays based on 4-way DNA junctions.

DNA, Cruciform↗

FRET reveals changes in the F1-stator stalk interaction during activity of F1F0-ATP synthase.

A stator is proposed as necessary to prevent futile rotation of the F(1) catalytic sector of mitochondrial ATP synthase (mtATPase) during periods of ATP synthesis or ATP hydrolysis. Although the second stalk of mtATPase is generally believed to fulfil the role of a stator capable of withstanding the stress produced by rotation of the central rotor, there is little evidence to directly support this view. We show that interaction between two candidate proteins of the second stalk, OSCP and subunit b, fused at their C-termini to GFP variants and assembled into functional mtATPase can be monitored in mitochondria using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Substitution of native OSCP with a variant containing a glycine 166 to asparagine (G166N) substitution yielded a metastable complex. In contrast to the enzyme containing native OSCP, FRET could be irreversibly lowered for the enzyme containing G166N at a rate that correlated closely with the rate of enzyme activity (ATP hydrolysis). The non-hydrolysable ATP analogue, AMP-PCP did not have this effect. We conclude that two candidate proteins of the stator stalk, OSCP and b, are subject to stresses during enzyme catalytic activity commensurate with their role as a part of a stator stalk.

Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer↗

A strand exchange FRET assay for DNA.

A new displacement hybridisation method is reported using a single strand DNA probe, labelled with an acceptor fluorophore (oregon green 488). Detection of double stranded sample target is shown, with discrimination between the probe, duplexed during the assay, and free single stranded probe DNA achieved through the FRET from a donor grove fluorophore (Hoechst 33258). A model for the kinetics of the displacement assay is presented and the course of the assay predicted according to probe/target ratios and sequence. The modelled predictions are consistent with the experimental data showing single base pair mismatch discrimination. The pattern of response according to the mismatch/perfect complement ratio in a mixed sample is also considered with an allele-discrimination ratio lying between the homozygous gene and total mismatch case, according to ratio. The assay is shown to be tolerant of different probe concentrations and ratios and through the dual wavelength recorded signals from donor and FRET acceptor, internal baseline correction is achieved with excellent noise reduction through ratiometric measurement.

Base Pair Mismatch↗

Studying inner ear protein-protein interactions using FRET and FLIM.

Molecular genetic studies of the inner ear have recently revealed a large number of previously undescribed proteins, but their functions remain unclear. Optical methods such as FRET and FLIM are just beginning to be applied to the study of functional interactions between novel inner ear proteins. This review discusses the various methods for employing FRET and FLIM in protein-protein interaction studies, their advantages and pitfalls, with examples drawn from inner ear studies.

Animals↗

Imaging molecular interactions in living cells by FRET microscopy.

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is applied extensively in all fields of biological research and technology, generally as a 'nanoruler' with a dynamic range corresponding to the intramolecular and intermolecular distances characterizing the molecular structures that regulate cellular function. The complex underlying network of interactions reflects elementary reactions operating under strict spatio-temporal control: binding, conformational transition, covalent modification and transport. FRET imaging provides information about all these molecular processes with high specificity and sensitivity via probes expressed by or introduced from the external medium into the cell, tissue or organism. Current approaches and developments in the field are discussed with emphasis on formalism, probes and technical implementation.

Cells↗

In vitro assembly of mosaic hepatitis B virus capsid-like particles (CLPs): rescue into CLPs of assembly-deficient core protein fusions and FRET-suited CLPs.

Hepatitis B virus core protein self-assembles into icosahedral, highly immunogenic capsid-like particles (CLPs) that can serve as molecular platforms for heterologous proteins. Insertion into the centrally located c/e1 epitope leads to surface display, fusion to the C terminus to internal disposition of the foreign domains. However, symmetry-defined space restrictions on the surface and particularly inside the CLPs limit the size of usable heterologous fusion partners. Further, CLPs carrying differing foreign domains are desirable for applications such as multivalent vaccines, and for structure probing by distance sensitive interactions like fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Here, we report an in vitro co-assembly system for such mosaic-CLPs allowing successful CLP formation with a per se assembly-deficient fusion protein, and of CLPs from two different fluoroprotein-carrying fusions that exert FRET in an assembly-status dependent way.

Capsid↗

HLA-B27 genotyping by fluorescent resonance emission transfer (FRET) probes in real-time PCR.

Several polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping methods are in use, but none is fully satisfactory. The introduction of real-time PCR (rt-PCR) with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes provides a powerful tool to overcome the drawbacks of current methods such as the long processing time and the requirement for post-PCR manual procedures. Here we present evidence that the FRET-fluorotyping principle may resolve HLA-B27 variants, providing a higher resolution in less time than the techniques currently in use. The protocol uses between one and three consecutive amplification reactions depending on the resolution required. The first reaction, aimed at detecting HLA-B27-positive samples, uses beta-globin coamplification as control. The second reaction, aimed at resolving most frequent B27 alleles, uses two hybridization probes whose melting temperatures curves allow the classification of HLA-B27 alleles into eight groups. By adding a third reaction, even the rarest alleles associated and not associated to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) may be discriminated. The technique was blindly tested on 60 samples from individuals previously typed and confirmed by standard PCR sequence-specific oligoprobes-PCR sequence and PCR-based typing PCR-SBT (30 B27+, 30 non-B27). There was a complete concordance rate, thus confirming the potential of this new technique for clinical HLA-B27 typing and for HLA typing in general.

Cell Line, Transformed↗

Colocalization and FRET-analysis of subunits c and a of the vacuolar H+-ATPase in living plant cells.

The proton-translocating plant vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (VHA) is of prime importance for acidification of intracellular compartments and is essential for processes such as secondary activated transport, maintenance of ion homeostasis, and adaptation to environmental stress. Twelve genes have been identified that encode subunits of the functional V-ATPase complex. In this study, subunits c and a of the V-ATPase from the plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum were fused to cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), respectively, and were transiently coexpressed in protoplasts. Two-colour scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy demonstrates that the fusion proteins VHA-c-CFP and VHA-a-YFP are colocalized at the tonoplast, the plasmamembrane, and at endoplasmic membrane structures indicating expression in cytoplasmic vesicles. Furthermore, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was used to visualize the interaction of VHA-c and VHA-a in vivo on the nanometer length scale. Excitation of CFP as donor fluorophore caused increased emission of YFP-fluorescence in protoplasts due to FRET. Our results give strong evidence for physical interaction of subunits c and a in living plant cells.

Arabidopsis↗

SNP genotyping with FRET probes. Optimizing the resolution of heterozygotes.

Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms by PCR with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes often can produce a result where the melting peak corresponding to perfectly matched sequence (A allele) has a smaller area than the peak corresponding to the allele with a mismatch (B allele). This imbalance can make it difficult to distinguish heterozygous individuals from BB homozygotes. These results suggested that the higher strength in the binding of the perfect match probe to the A allele could cause the selective amplification of the B allele, possibly by interfering with the elongation of the PCR product. In order to optimize the detection of heterozygotes in allelic discrimination assays with FRET probes, we tested several modifications aimed at minimizing the apparent interference of the probes with the amplification process. We observed, in agreement with our hypothesis, that lowering the probe concentration or adding the probes after the amplification step more accurately resolved heterozygotes.

Alleles↗

A molecular protocol using quenched FRET probes for the quarantine surveillance of Tilletia indica, the causal agent of Karnal bunt of wheat.

The current surveillance protocol for Karnal bunt of wheat in most countries, including the USA, European Union (EU), and Australia, involves the tentative identification of the spores based on morphology followed by a molecular analysis. Germination of spores is required for confirmation which incurs a delay of about two weeks, which is highly unsatisfactory in a quarantine situation. A two-step PCR protocol using FRET probes for the direct detection and identification of Tilletia indica from a very few number of spores (< or =10) is presented. The protocol involves amplification of the ITS1 DNA segment in the highly repeated rDNA unit from any Tilletia species, followed by FRET analysis to detect and unequivocably distinguish T. indica and the closely related T. walkeri. This rapid, highly sensitive, fluorescent molecular tool is species-specific, and could supersede the conventional microscopic diagnosis used in a quarantine surveillance protocol for Karnal bunt which is often confounded by overlapping morphological characters of closely related species.

DNA, Fungal↗

Analyzing protein kinase dynamics in living cells with FRET reporters.

Genetically encoded reporters based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) are being developed for analyzing spatiotemporal dynamics of kinase activities in living cells, as the activities of this class of enzymes are often dynamically regulated and spatially compartmentalized within specific signaling context. Here we describe a general modular design and engineering strategies for the development of activity reporters for kinases of interest, using A-kinase activity reporter (AKAR) as an illustrative example. Discussed here are basic structure of such reporters, design considerations, reporter gene construction, cellular and in vitro characterization. Strategies for improving specificity, dynamic range or sensitivity, reversibility and integrity of the reporter as well as basic methods for live-cell time-lapse imaging using these reporters are summarized. Discussion of using this approach in the study of MAPK cascades is also provided. These FRET-based kinase activity reporters, along with analogous probes based on alternative designs, provide real-time tracking of kinase dynamics with subcellular resolution, which should complement other methods and offer great opportunities to delineate the molecular mechanisms underlying the complex regulation of kinases.

Animals↗

Myosin-induced movement of alphaalpha, alphabeta, and betabeta smooth muscle tropomyosin on actin observed by multisite FRET.

The interaction of the alphaalpha, betabeta, and alphabeta smooth muscle tropomyosin (Tm) isoforms with F-actin was systematically studied in the absence and in the presence of myosin subfragment 1 (S1) using multifrequency phase/modulation Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). A Gaussian double distance distribution model was adopted to fit FRET data between a 5-(2-iodoacetyl-amino-ethyl-amino)naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid donor at either Cys-36 of the beta-chain or Cys-190 of the alpha-chain and a 4-dimethylaminophenylazophenyl 4'-maleimide acceptor at Cys-374 of F-actin. Experimental data were obtained for singly and doubly labeled alphabeta Tm (donor only at alpha, only at beta, or both) and for doubly labeled alphaalpha or betabeta Tm. Data for singly labeled alphabetaTm were combined in a global analysis with doubly labeled alphabetaTm. In all doubly labeled isoforms, upon S1 binding, one donor-acceptor "apparent" distance increased slightly by 0.5-2 A, whereas the other decreased by 6-9 A. These changes are consistent with a uniform "rolling" motion of Tm over the F-actin surface. The analysis indicates that Tm occupies relatively well-defined positions, with some flexibility, in both the predominantly closed (-S1) and open (+S1) thin-filament states. The results for the alphabetaTm heterodimer indicate that the local twofold symmetry of alphaalpha or betabeta Tm is effectively broken in alphabetaTm bound to F-actin, which implies a difference between the alpha- and beta-chains in terms of their interaction with F-actin.

Actins↗

The use of FRET imaging microscopy to detect protein-protein interactions and protein conformational changes in vivo.

Intermolecular and intramolecular FRET between two spectrally overlapping green fluorescent protein variants fused to two different host proteins or at two different sites within the same protein offers a unique opportunity to monitor real-time protein-protein interactions or protein conformational changes. By using fluorescence digital imaging microscopy, one can visualize the location of green fluorescent proteins within a living cell and follow the time course of the changes in FRET corresponding to cellular events at a millisecond time resolution. The observation of such dynamic molecular events in vivo provides vital insight into the action of biological molecules.

Calcium Signaling↗

Using GFP in FRET-based applications.

The use of green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a powerful technology that has recently enabled investigators to study dynamic molecular events within living cells. One method for detecting molecular interactions involves fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between two GFPs or between GFP and a second fluorophore. This review summarizes the use of GFP for FRET and illustrates the theme with specific examples on how GFP has been employed as an intracellular molecular sensor.

Endopeptidases↗

A multi-site study for detection of the factor V (Leiden) mutation from genomic DNA using a homogeneous invader microtiter plate fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay.

The goal of this multicenter study was to evaluate the second-generation Invader technology for detecting the factor V (Leiden) mutation directly from genomic DNA of different sample types. Invader assay results were compared with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) or allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) analysis. The Invader assay is a PCR-independent methodology that uses a microtiter plate format. In the assay, a specific upstream Invader oligonucleotide and a downstream probe hybridize in tandem to a complementary DNA template and form a partially overlapping structure. The Cleavase VIII enzyme recognizes and cuts this structure to release the 5' flap of the probe. This flap then serves as an Invader oligonucleotide to direct cleavage of a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probe in a second invasive cleavage reaction. Cleavage of this FRET probe results in the generation of a fluorescent signal. The results of the Invader assay were 99.5% concordant with the PCR-based methods. Of the 372 samples tested once, only two gave discordant results (one from operator error and one from unknown causes), but were concordant on retesting. These results indicate that a simple microtiter plate-based Invader assay can reliably genotype clinical patient samples for the factor V (Leiden) point mutation directly from genomic DNA without prior target amplification.

Base Sequence↗

Surfaces and orientations: much to FRET about?

Single molecule FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) is a powerful technique for detecting real-time conformational changes and molecular interactions during biological reactions. In this Account, we examine different techniques of extending observation times via immobilization and illustrate how useful biological information can be obtained from single molecule FRET time trajectories with or without absolute distance information.

Biotin↗

Proximity of the protein moiety of a GPI-anchored protein to the membrane surface: a FRET study.

GPI-anchored proteins are ubiquitous on the eukaryotic cell surface, where they are involved in a variety of functions ranging from adhesion to enzymatic catalysis. Indirect evidence suggests that the GPI anchor may hold the protein close to the plasma membrane; however, there is a lack of direct information on the proximity of the protein portion of GPI-anchored proteins to the bilayer surface. The present study uses fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to address this important problem. The GPI-anchored ectoenzyme placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) was purified from a plasma membrane extract of human placental microsomes without the use of butanol. The protein was fluorescently labeled at the N-terminus with 7-(dimethylamino)coumarin-4-acetic acid succinimidyl ester (DMACA-SE) or Oregon Green 488 succinimidyl ester (OG488-SE), and each was reconstituted by detergent dilution into defined lipid bilayer vesicles containing an increasing mole fraction of a fluorescent lipid probe. The fluorescence of the labeled PLAP donors was quenched in a concentration-dependent manner by the lipid acceptors. The energy transfer data were analyzed using an approach that describes FRET between a uniform distribution of donors and acceptors in an infinite plane. The distance of closest approach between the protein moiety of PLAP and the lipid-water interfacial region of the bilayer was estimated to be smaller than 10-14 A. This indicates that the protein portion of PLAP is located very close to the lipid bilayer, possibly resting on the surface. This contact may allow transmission of structural changes from the membrane surface to the protein, which could influence the behavior and catalytic properties of GPI-anchored proteins.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗