A new method, in which a genetic algorithm was combined with Brownian dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, was developed to analyze fluorescence depolarization data collected by the time-correlated single photon-counting technique. It was applied to studies of BODIPY-labeled filamentous actin (F-actin). The technique registered the local order and reorienting motions of the fluorophores, which were covalently coupled to cysteine 374 (C374) in actin and interacted by electronic energy migration within the actin polymers. Analyses of F-actin samples composed of different fractions of labeled actin molecules revealed the known helical organization of F-actin, demonstrating the usefulness of this technique for structure determination of complex protein polymers. The distance from the filament axis to the fluorophore was found to be considerably less than expected from the proposed position of C374 at a high filament radius. In addition, polymerization experiments with BODIPY-actin suggest a 25-fold more efficient signal for filament formation than pyrene-actin.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2025662PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1529/biophysj.107.107920DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

fluorescence depolarization
8
filamentous actin
8
genetic algorithm
8
actin
5
depolarization studies
4
studies filamentous
4
actin analyzed
4
analyzed genetic
4
algorithm method
4
method genetic
4

Similar Publications

The impact of islet neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) is less understood. We investigated this issue by performing simultaneous measurements of the activity of nNOS versus inducible NOS (iNOS) in GSIS using isolated murine islets. Additionally, the significance of extracellular NO on GSIS was studied.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cortical spreading depolarization (CSD), the neurophysiological event believed to underlie aura, may trigger migraine headaches through inflammatory signaling that originates in neurons and spreads to the meninges via astrocytes. Increasing evidence from studies on rodents and migraine patients supports this hypothesis. The transition from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory mechanisms is crucial for resolving inflammation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) affects millions of men, causing high mortality rates. Despite the treatment approaches, the options for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), a lethal form of advanced PC, are still limited. Cabazitaxel (Cbx) is the last taxane-derived chemotherapeutic approved for Docetaxel- resistant mCRPC patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: Somatostatin from pancreatic δ-cells is a paracrine regulator of insulin and glucagon secretion, but the release kinetics and whether secretion is altered in diabetes is unclear. This study aimed to improve understanding of somatostatin secretion by developing a tool for real-time detection of somatostatin release from individual pancreatic islets.

Methods: Reporter cells responding to somatostatin with cytoplasmic Ca concentration ([Ca]) changes were generated by co-expressing somatostatin receptor SSTR2, the G-protein Gα15 and a fluorescent Ca sensor in HeLa cells.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Towards measurements of absolute membrane potential in Bacillus subtilis using fluorescence lifetime.

Biophys Rep (N Y)

January 2025

UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,; Department of Physiology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,; California Nano Systems Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,; Department of Physics, Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel.

Membrane potential (MP) changes can provide a simple readout of bacterial functional and metabolic state or stress levels. While several optical methods exist for measuring fast changes in MP in excitable cells, there is a dearth of such methods for absolute and precise measurements of steady-state membrane potentials (MPs) in bacterial cells. Conventional electrode-based methods for the measurement of MP are not suitable for calibrating optical methods in small bacterial cells.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!