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Biomedical subjects

Diane S Lidke

Publications and source records attributed to Diane S Lidke.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Synthesizing biofunctionalized nanoparticles to image cell signaling pathways.

This minireview outlines the synthetic efforts, from our research group, to produce nanomaterials for use as imaging agents to study cell signaling pathways. An overview of our approach to the synthesis and biofunctionalization of metal, semiconductor, and ceramic nanomaterials is presented. The probes investigated include coinage metals, Cd-based, Ge(o), naturally occurring fluorescent (NOF) minerals, and Ln-based nanoparticles which were synthesized from novel metal alkoxide, amide, and alkyl precursors. We illustrate the applications of some of these materials as imaging probes to detect signaling pathway components and cellular responses to signals (apoptosis and degranulation) in inflammatory and cancer cells.

Cell Physiological Phenomena↗

Reaching out for signals: filopodia sense EGF and respond by directed retrograde transport of activated receptors.

ErbB1 receptors situated on cellular filopodia undergo systematic retrograde transport after binding of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase. Specific inhibitors of the erbB1 receptor tyrosine kinase as well as cytochalasin D, a disruptor of the actin cytoskeleton, abolish transport but not free diffusion of the receptor-ligand complex. Diffusion constants and transport rates were determined with single molecule sensitivity by tracking receptors labeled with EGF conjugated to fluorescent quantum dots. Retrograde transport precedes receptor endocytosis, which occurs at the base of the filopodia. Initiation of transport requires the interaction and concerted activation of at least two liganded receptors and proceeds at a constant rate mediated by association with actin. These findings suggest a mechanism by which filopodia detect the presence and concentration of effector molecules far from the cell body and mediate cellular responses via directed transport of activated receptors.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

The role of photon statistics in fluorescence anisotropy imaging.

Anisotropy imaging can be used to image resonance energy transfer between pairs of identical fluorophores and, thus, constitutes a powerful tool for monitoring protein homo-association in living single cells. The requirement for only a single fluorophore significantly simplifies biological preparation and interpretation. We use quantitative methods for the acquisition and image processing of anisotropy data that return the expected error of the anisotropy per pixel based on photon statistics. The analysis methods include calibration procedures and allow for a balance in spatial, anisotropy, and temporal resolution. They are featured here with anisotropy images of fluorescent calibration beads and enhanced green fluorescent protein complexes in live cells.

Algorithms↗

Quantum dot ligands provide new insights into erbB/HER receptor-mediated signal transduction.

The erbB/HER family of transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) mediate cellular responses to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and related ligands. We have imaged the early stages of RTK-dependent signaling in living cells using: (i) stable expression of erbB1/2/3 fused with visible fluorescent proteins (VFPs), (ii) fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) bearing epidermal growth factor (EGF-QD) and (iii) continuous confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry. Here we demonstrate that EGF-QDs are highly specific and potent in the binding and activation of the EGF receptor (erbB1), being rapidly internalized into endosomes that exhibit active trafficking and extensive fusion. EGF-QDs bound to erbB1 expressed on filopodia revealed a previously unreported mechanism of retrograde transport to the cell body. When erbB2-monomeric yellow fluorescent protein (mYFP) or erbB3-monomeric Citrine (mCitrine) were coexpressed with erbB1, the rates and extent of endocytosis of EGF-QD and the RTK-VFP demonstrated that erbB2 but not erbB3 heterodimerizes with erbB1 after EGF stimulation, thereby modulating EGF-induced signaling. QD-ligands will find widespread use in basic research and biotechnological developments.

Animals↗

Imaging takes a quantum leap.

Semiconducting nanocrystals, or quantum dots (QDs), have emerged as a new tool in physiological imaging, combining high brilliance, photostability, broad excitation but very narrow emission spectra, and surface chemistry compatible with biomolecular conjugation. In this review, we demonstrate the power of QDs in diverse applications, including long-term in vivo fluorescence imaging.

Animals↗

Coordination of the two heads of myosin during muscle contraction.

We have used luminescence resonance energy transfer between regulatory light chains (RLC) to detect structural changes within the dimeric myosin molecule in contracting muscle fibers. Fully functional scallop muscle fibers were prepared such that each myosin molecule contained a terbium-labeled (luminescent donor) RLC on one head and a rhodamine-labeled (acceptor) RLC on the other. Time-resolved luminescence energy transfer between the two heads increased upon the transition from relaxation (ATP) to contraction (ATP plus Ca) and increased further in rigor (no ATP). Combined with experiments on mutant RLCs labeled specifically at other sites, these results support a model in which the force-generating weak-to-strong transition causes one myosin LC domain to tilt through a 30 degrees angle toward the other, thus acting as a coordinated lever arm.

Animals↗