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Fluorescent probes for cellular hypoxia: lack of transfer of fluorescence between cells in vitro.

Fluorescent nitroheterocycles may be useful as probes for cellular hypoxia. Reductive metabolism of AF-2 (cis 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide) and NFVO (trans-5-amino-3((5-nitro-2-furyl)vinyl)1,2,4-oxadiazole) results in intracellular accumulation of fluorescent molecules; the mean cellular fluorescence has previously been shown to be related to the cellular oxygen content during incubation in vitro. However, factors in addition to oxygen and nitroreductive activity may also affect cellular accumulation of these drugs. The stability of cellular fluorescence and possible diffusion of metabolites were examined by flow cytometric analysis of mouse and hamster fibroblasts exposed to NFVO and AF-2. Incubation of cells with 14C-AF-2 allowed calibration of the flow cytometer for AF-2 fluorescence; 5 X 10(8) molecules/cell resulted in double the spontaneous cellular fluorescence. Cellular fluorescence was stable for days after exposure to AF-2, and no evidence of transfer between exposed and unexposed cells was observed. For concentrations resulting in less than 5 X 10(9) AF-2 adducts/cell, all of the metabolites could be accounted for intracellularly. Therefore, it is unlikely that transfer of reduced nitroheterocycles occurs between cells.

5-Amino-3-((5-nitro-2-furyl)vinyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol↗

Live cell detection of caspase-3 activation by a Discosoma-red-fluorescent-protein-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer construct.

A probe consisting of Discosoma red fluorescent protein (DsRed) and enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) linked by a 19-amino-acid chain containing the caspase-3 cleavage site Asp-Glu-Val-Asp was developed to monitor caspase-3 activation in living cells. The expression of the tandem construct in mammalian cells yielded a strong red fluorescence when excited with 450- to 490-nm light or with a 488-nm argon ion laser line as a result of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from donor EYFP to acceptor DsRed. The advantage over previous constructs using cyan fluorescent protein is that our construct can be used when excitation wavelengths lower than 488nm are not available. To validate the construct, murine HT-22 hippocampal neuronal cells were triggered to undergo CD95-induced neuronal death. An increase in caspase-3 activity was demonstrated by a reduction of FRET in cells transfected with the construct. This was manifested by a dequenching of EYFP fluorescence leading to an increase in EYFP emission and a corresponding decrease in DsRed fluorescence, which correlated with an increase in pro-caspase-3 processing. We conclude that CD95-induced caspase-3 activation in HT-22 cells was readily detected at the single-cell level using the DsRed-EYFP-based FRET construct, making this a useful technology to monitor caspase-3 activity in living cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tryptophan fluorescence in electron-transfer flavoprotein:ubiquinone oxidoreductase: fluorescence quenching by a brominated pseudosubstrate.

We have studied the intrinsic fluorescence of the 12 tryptophan residues of electron-transfer flavoprotein:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF:QO). The fluorescence emission spectrum (lambda ex 295 nm) showed that the fluorescence is due to the tryptophan residues and that the contribution of the 22 tyrosine residues is minor. The emission maximum (lambda m 334 nm) and the bandwidth (delta lambda 1/2 56 nm) suggest that the tryptophans lie in hydrophobic environments in the oxidized protein. Further, these tryptophans are inaccessible to a range of ionic and nonionic collisional quenching agents, indicating that they are buried in the protein. Enzymatic or chemical reduction of ETF:QO results in a 5% increase in fluorescence with no change of lambda m or delta lambda 1/2. This change is reversible upon reoxidation and is likely to reflect a conformational change in the protein. The ubiquinone analogue Q0(CH2)10Br, a pseudosubstrate of ETF:QO (Km = 2.6 microM; kcat = 210 s-1), specifically quenches the fluorescence of one tryptophan residue (Kd = 1.6-3.2 microM) in equilibrium fluorescence titrations. The ubiquinone homologue UQ-2 (Km = 2 microM; kcat = 162 s-1) and the analogue Q0(CH2)10OH (Km = 2 microM; kcat = 132 s-1) do not quench tryptophan fluorescence; thus the brominated analogue acts as a static heavy atom quencher. We also describe a rapid purification for ETF:QO based on extraction of liver submitochondrial particles with Triton X-100 and three chromatographic steps, which results in yields 3 times higher than previously published methods.

Acrylamide↗

Fluorescent and photoactivatable fluorescent derivatives of tetrodotoxin to probe the sodium channel of excitable membranes.

Fluorescent and photoactivatable fluorescent derivatives of tetrodotoxin (TTX) have been synthesized. N-Methylanthraniloylglycine hydrazide, anthraniloyl hydrazide, and 2-azidoanthraniloylglycine hydrazide were coupled to the carbonyl at C6 of oxidized tetrodotoxin to form stable fluorescent hydrazones. The C6 ketone can be reductively aminated with either ammonium or methylammonium acetate to form 6-amino- or 6-(methylamino)tetrodotoxin, which can then be acylated by a variety of fluorescent reagents. The biological activity, competitive binding with [3H]tetrodotoxin for the receptor on rat axonal membranes, and equilibrium binding isotherms obtained by fluorescence enhancement or anisotropy indicate that the derivatives are only about 2-5 times less active then tetrodotoxin itself. The 2-azidoanthraniloylglycine hydrazone of oxidized tetrodotoxin, when activated by light, generates a reactive nitrene which is capable of covalent insertion into the toxin receptor. The product of the photolysis is a highly fluorescent tetrodotoxin derivative which is irreversibly linked to the receptor site. The excitation and emission spectra of the fluorescent tetrodotoxin derivatives vary with solvent polarity, and this sensitivity has been used to determine the immediate environmental characteristics of the toxin binding site of the sodium channel. It is concluded that the toxin binding site is highly polar. Emission and excitation spectra reveal that radiationless energy is transferred from tryptophan residues of the receptor to the anthraniloyl group of the TTX derivatives.

Animals↗

Development of selective, visible light-excitable, fluorescent magnesium ion probes with a novel fluorescence switching mechanism.

Novel fluorescent Mg2+ probes, 2'-carboxyfluorescein (2'-CF) and its derivatives, that are excitable by visible light, were designed, synthesized and characterized. After complexation with Mg2+, the absorption and emission maxima of these fluorescent probes were red-shifted and the fluorescence intensity was increased 11-fold at neutral pH. The apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of the Mg2+-2'-CF complex was 15.8 mM at neutral pH. The Kd of the Ca2+-2'-CF complex was about 10 times larger than that of the Mg2+ complex and the other derivatives showed similar characteristics. In contrast, all the commercially available fluorescent Mg2+ probes have a higher affinity for Ca2+ than Mg2+. 2'-CF fluoresced in alkaline solution (pH > 8) and the pK, value was 8.8. The pKa value of the Mg2+-2'-CF complex was 6.8, and the fluorescence intensity was increased in the neutral conditions. Thus, the addition of Mg2+ resulted in a lowering of the pKa, and also an increase of the fluorescence intensity.

Fluorescein↗

Carbachol-induced fluid movement through methazolamide-sensitive bicarbonate production in rat parotid intralobular ducts: quantitative analysis of fluorescence images using fluorescent dye sulforhodamine under a confocal laser scanning microscope.

Fluid secretion is observed at the openings of ducts in the exocrine gland. It remains unclear whether the ducts are involved in fluid secretion in the salivary glands. In the present study, we investigated the exclusion of fluorescent dye from the duct lumen by carbachol (CCh) in isolated parotid intralobular duct segments to clarify the ability of the ducts for the fluid secretion. When the membrane-impermeable fluorescent dye, sulforhodamine, was added to the superfused extracellular solution, quantitative fluorescence images of the duct lumen were obtained under the optical sectioning at the level of the duct lumen using a confocal laser scanning microscope. CCh decreased the fluorescent intensity in the duct lumen during the superfusion of the fluorescent dye, and CCh flushed out small viscous substances stained with the fluorescent dye from isolated duct lumen, suggesting that CCh might induce fluid secretion in the duct, leading to the clearance of the dye and small stained clumps from the duct lumen. CCh-induced clearance of the fluorescent dye was divided into two phases by the sensitivity to external Ca2+ and methazolamide, an inhibitor for carbonic anhydrase. The initial phase was insensitive to these, and the subsequent late phase was sensitive to these. A major portion in the late phase was inhibited by removal of bicarbonate in the superfusion solution and DPC, but not low concentration of external Cl-, bumetanide or DIDS, suggesting that methazolamide-sensitive production of HCO3-, but not the Cl- uptake mechanism, might contribute to the CCh-induced clearance of the dye from the duct lumen. These results represent the first measurements of fluid movement in isolated duct segments, and suggest that carbachol might evoke fluid secretion possibly through Ca2+-activated, DPC-sensitive anion channels with HCO3- secretion in the rat parotid intralobular ducts.

Animals↗

Effects of background fluorescence in fluorescence molecular tomography.

Recent advances in optical imaging systems and systemically administered fluorescent probes have significantly improved the ways by which we can visualize proteomics in vivo. A key component in the design of fluorescent probes is a favorable biodistribution, i.e., localization only in the targeted diseased tissue, in order to achieve high contrast and good detection characteristics. In practice, however, there is always some level of background fluorescence present that could result in distorted or obscured visualization and quantification of measured signals. In this study we observe the effects of background fluorescence in tomographic imaging. We demonstrate that increasing levels of background fluorescence result in artifacts when using a linear perturbation algorithm, along with a significant loss of image fidelity and quantification accuracy. To correct for effects of background fluorescence, we have applied cubic polynomial fits to bulk raw measurements obtained from spatially homogeneous and heterogeneous phantoms. We show that subtraction of the average fluorescence response from the raw data before reconstruction can improve image quality and quantification accuracy as shown in relatively homogeneous or heterogeneous phantoms. Subtraction methods thus appear to be a promising route for adaptively correcting nonspecific background fluorochrome distribution.

Algorithms↗

Fluorescent-labeled ligands for the benzodiazepine receptor. Part 2: The choice of an optimal fluorescent-labeled ligand for benzodiazepine receptor assays.

In this article, the binding affinities of the fluorescent-labeled benzodiazepines described in Part 1 are compared to assess the influence of the labeling position and the choice of fluorophore on the binding affinity. This comparison was extended by taking into account the data of other fluorescent-labeled benzodiazepines in the literature. The differences in the binding affinities observed could partly be explained by structure-activity relationships (SAR). On the basis of this comparison, fluorescent-labeled desethylflumazenil (Ro15-3890, 19) derivatives were selected as the most suitable labeled ligands in fluorescent receptor assays. A methyl-methoxycoumarin derivative (Mmc-O-CO-(CH2)3-Ro15-3890) (20b) had a Ki-value of 6.5 nM, and a 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3diazole derivative (NBD-NH-(CH2)3-Ro15-3890, 21) had a Ki-value of 5.7 nM. In order to yield sufficient sensitivity in the final receptor assay, a suitable fluorescent labeled ligand should have a Ki < 10 nM. A further advantage of the above two ligands is that the benzodiazepine moiety has no receptor affinity of its own. Thus, if some hydrolysis of the labeled ligand were to occur, the resulting Ro15-3890 (18) would hardly affect the outcome of the assay. In the second part of this paper the prerequisites of the fluorophore are being examined. In this regard, 20b is preferred, because the coumarin derivative has higher fluorescence intensities in aqueous media than the NBD-derivative. Therefore, 20b was selected as a fluorescent-labeled ligand in the development of a non-radioactive receptor assay for benzodiazepines.

Animals↗

Fluorescence lifetime imaging of nuclear DNA: effect of fluorescence resonance energy transfer.

BACKGROUND: DNA fluorescence dyes have been used to study DNA dynamics, chromatin structure, and cell cycle analysis. However, most microscopic fluorescence studies of DNA use only steady-state measurements and do not take advantage of the additional information content of the time-resolved fluorescence. In this paper, we combine fluorescence imaging of DNA with time-resolved measurements to examine the proximity of donors and acceptors bound to chromatin. METHODS: We used frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to study the spatial distribution of DNA-bound donors and acceptors in fixed 3T3 nuclei. Over 50 cell nuclei were imaged in the presence of an AT-specific donor, Hoechst 33258 (Ho), and a GC-specific acceptor, 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD). RESULTS: The intensity images of Ho alone showed a spatially irregular distribution due to the various concentrations of DNA or AT-rich DNA throughout the nuclei. The lifetime imaging of the Ho-stained nuclei was typically flat. Addition of 7-AAD decreased the fluorescence intensity and lifetime of the Ho-stained DNA. The spatially dependent phase and modulation values of Ho in the presence of 7-AAD showed that the Ho decay becomes nonexponential, as is expected for a resonance energy transfer (RET) with multiple acceptors located over a range of distances. In approximately 40 nuclei, the intensity and lifetime decrease was spatially homogeneous. In approximately 10 nuclei, addition of 7-AAD resulted in a spatially nonhomogeneous decrease in intensity and lifetime. The RET efficiency was higher in G(2)/M than in G(0/1) phase cells. CONCLUSIONS: Because RET efficiency depends on the average distance between Ho and 7-AAD, data suggest that the heterogeneity of lifetimes and spatial variation of the RET efficiency are caused by the presence of highly condensed regions of DNA in nuclei.

3T3 Cells↗

The Calibration Kit Spectral Fluorescence Standards--a simple and certified tool for the standardization of the spectral characteristics of fluorescence instruments.

With the Calibration Kit Spectral Fluorescence Standards BAM-F001-BAM-F005, we developed a simple tool for the characterization of the relative spectral responsivity and the long-term stability of the emission channel of fluorescence instruments under routine measurement conditions thereby providing the basis for an improved comparability of fluorescence measurements and eventually standardization. This first set of traceable fluorescence standards, which links fluorescence measurements to the spectral radiance scale in the spectral range of 300-770 nm and has been optimized for spectrofluorometers, can be employed for different measurement geometries and can be adapted to different fluorescence techniques with proper consideration of the underlying measurement principles.

Calibration↗

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) using ssDNA binding fluorescent dye.

There is a need for simple and inexpensive methods for genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short insertion/deletion variations (InDels). In this work, I demonstrate that a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding dye can be used as a donor fluorophore for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The method presented is a homogenous assay in which detection is based on the FRET from the fluorescence of the ssDNA dye bound to the unmodified detection primer to the fluorescent nucleotide analog incorporated into this detection primer during cyclic template directed primer extension reaction. Collection of the FRET emission spectrum with a scanning fluorescence spectrophotometer allows powerful data analysis. The fluorescence emission signal is modified by the optical properties of the assay vessel. This seems to be a completely neglected parameter. By proper selection of the optical properties of the assay plate one can improve the detection of the fluorescence emission signal.

DNA Primers↗

Fluorescence polarization discriminates green fluorescent protein from interfering autofluorescence in a microplate assay for genotoxicity.

An unconventional use for the polarization optics, associated with a variety of commercially available fluorescence microplate readers, is reported. This novel application has allowed the discrimination of green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence in genetically modified yeast cells from interfering autofluorescent species. The method exploits the unusually high fluorescence anisotropy of GFP compared to smaller fluorophores and autofluorescent species. The principle was successfully applied to resolve the induced GFP signal from that of autofluorescent test compounds, in an assay for genotoxic species. The use of fluorescence polarization enabled both proflavin and methapyrilene to be identified as genotoxic agents in the yeast assay. This would not have been possible using conventional fluorescence alone since these compounds were found to be intensely autofluorescent at the same wavelength as GFP and thus effectively mask the GFP signal.

Anisotropy↗

Analysis of individual acidic organelles by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection facilitated by the endocytosis of fluorescently labeled microspheres.

Submicrometer-sized fluorescent microspheres were loaded into the acidic organelles of NS-1 mouse myeloma cells via endocytosis. Confocal microscopy imaging showed that microspheres colocalized nearly perfectly with LysoTracker Red, a probe that stains acidic organelles. Unlike LysoTracker dyes that seem to leak from acidic organelles upon cell disruption, microspheres are retained within these organelles, facilitating their analysis following isolation. Using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with laser-induced fluorescence detection (LIF), the electrophoretic mobilities of acidic organelles were individually calculated and fluorescence intensities individually measured. When cells were incubated for sufficient time to allow for endocytosis (48 h) with 3.9 x 10(3) microspheres/cell, replicate CE-LIF analyses of the corresponding isolated fraction indicated a dramatic increase in the number of detected events (n = 1990 +/- 234) and in the overall fluorescence intensity of the individual events (0.38 +/- 0.01 RFU; average +/- SD; n = 3) over the corresponding <10-min incubations (n = 60; 0.21 RFU, respectively). In addition, a treatment with 4-fold increase in microsphere density (1.6 x 10(4) microspheres/cell), increased the number of detected individual events (n = 3427 +/- 101) and altered only slightly the fluorescence intensity and electrophoretic mobility distributions. The individual electrophoretic mobility values ranged from -1.45 x 10(-)(4) to -3.0 x 10(-)(4) cm(2) V(-)(1) s(-)(1) while the individual fluorescence values ranged from 0.1 V to over 8 V, demonstrating the benefit of detecting organelles individually rather than averaging their properties over single cells or bulk homogenates.

Animals↗

Picosecond time-resolved microspectrofluorometry in live cells exemplified by complex fluorescence dynamics of popular probes ethidium and cyan fluorescent protein.

Time-resolved microspectrofluorometry in live cells, based on time- and space-correlated single-photon counting, is a novel method to acquire spectrally resolved fluorescence decays, simultaneously in 256 wavelength channels. The system is calibrated with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 90 ps for the temporal resolution, a signal-to-noise ratio of 10(6), and a spectral resolution of 30 (Deltalambda/Lambda). As an example, complex fluorescence dynamics of ethidium and cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) in live cells are presented. Free and DNA intercalated forms of ethidium are simultaneously distinguishable by their relative lifetime (1.7 ns and 21.6 ns) and intensity spectra (shift of 7 nm). By analysing the complicated spectrally resolved fluorescence decay of CFP, we propose a fluorescence kinetics model for its excitation/desexcitation process. Such detailed studies under the microscope and in live cells are very promising for fluorescence signal quantification.

Animals↗

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer determinations using multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to characterize amyloid-beta plaques.

We describe the implementation of a commercial fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) instrument used in conjunction with a commercial laser scanning multiphoton microscope. The femtosecond-pulsed near-infrared laser is an ideal excitation source for time-domain fluorescence lifetime measurements. With synchronization from the x-y scanners, fluorescence lifetimes can be acquired on a pixel-by-pixel basis, with high spatial resolution. Multiexponential curve fits for each pixel result in two-dimensional fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements that allow the determination of both proximity of fluorescent FRET pairs, as well as the fraction of FRET pairs close enough for FRET to occur. Experiments are described that characterize this system, as well as commonly used reagents valuable for FRET determinations in biological systems. Constructs of CFP and YFP were generated to demonstrate FRET between this pair of green fluorescent protein (GFP) color variants. The lifetime characteristics of the FRET pair fluorescein and rhodamine, commonly used for immunohistochemistry, were also examined. Finally, these fluorophores were used to demonstrate spatially resolved FRET with senile plaques obtained from transgenic mouse brain. Together these results demonstrate that FLIM allows sensitive measurements of protein-protein interactions on a spatial scale less than 10 nm using commercially available components.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Confocal fluorescence spectroscopy of subcutaneous cartilage expressing green fluorescent protein versus cutaneous collagen autofluorescence.

Optically monitoring the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the cartilage underlying the skin of a mouse allows tracking the expression of the chondrocyte phenotype. This paper considers how confocal microscopy with spectral detection can sense GFP fluorescence in the cartilage despite light scattering and collagen autofluorescence from the overlying skin. An in vivo experiment tested the abilities of a topical optical fiber measurement and a confocal microscope measurement to detect GFP in cartilage under the skin versus the collagen autofluorescence. An ex vivo experiment tested the ability of a confocal microscope without and with its pinhole to detect a fluorescent microsphere underneath an ex vivo skin layer versus the collagen autofluorescence. In both systems, spectroscopic detection followed by linear analysis allowed spectral discrimination of collagen autofluorescence (M(C)) and the subdermal green fluorescence (M(G)) due to either GFP or the microsphere. Contrast was defined as M(G)/(M(G)+M(C)). The in vivo contrast for GFP using optical fiber and confocal measurements was 0.16 and 0.92, respectively. The ex vivo contrast for a fluorescent microsphere using a confocal system without and with a pinhole was 0.13 and 0.48, respectively. The study demonstrates that a topical optical fiber measurement is affected by collagen autofluorescence, while a confocal microscope can detect subdermal fluorescence while rejecting collagen autofluorescence.

Animals↗

Fluorescence-quenching phenomenon by photoinduced electron transfer between a fluorescent dye and a nucleotide base.

Fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probes have been widely used in biotechnology, and fluorescence quenching by the interaction between the dyes and a nucleobase has been pointed out. This quenching causes big problem in analytical methods, but is useful in some other cases. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the fluorescence quenching intensity under various conditions. We focused on the redox properties of some commercially available fluorescent dyes, and investigated dye-nucleotide interactions between a free dye and a nucleotide in aqueous solution by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. Our results suggested that the quenching was accompanied by photoinduced electron transfer between a thermodynamically quenchable excited dye and a specific base. Several kinds of fluorescent dyes labeled to the 5'-end of oligonucleotide C10T6 were prepared, and their quenching ratios compared upon hybridization with the complementary oligonucleotide A6G10. The quenching was completely reversible and their efficiencies depended on the attached fluorophore types. The fluorescence of 5-FAM, BODIPY FL or TAMRA-modified probe was strongly quenched by hybridization.

Algorithms↗

[Two-photon fluorescence from recombinant green fluorescent protein].

The photoconversion process of recombinant green fluorescent protein (rGFP) was investigated by two-photon excitation. The results indicated that the rGFP had very strong two-photon excitation fluorescence. The changes of two-photon-induced fluorescence polarization suggest that there is a proton transfer process between two different proton states of rGFP chromophores. The conformation of rGFP chromophores could be changed upon illumination, which partly block the energy transfer processes from amino acid residues to chromophores in rGFP, and result in the decrease of two-photon-induced fluorescence intensity. The fluorescence from amino acid residues in rGFP was also observed by three-photon excitation, which resulted from the blocked amino acid residues in rGFP. These results suggested that it is necessary to optimize rGFP excitation and detection for quantitative fluorescence microscopy.

Energy Transfer↗