Transport of glucose and glycine in Schizosaccharomyces pombe during the cell cycle.

Cell growth and uptake of glucose and glycine during the cell cycle were studied in synchronous cultures of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Rates of accumulation of glucose and glycine were constant during most of the cell cycle, implying a constant rate of cell mass increase. Rates of uptake of glycine appeared to double at an average cell age of 0.9 generations.     

On the possibility of real-time monitoring of glucose in cell culture by microdialysis using a fluorescent glucose binding protein sensor

Although glucose sensors with millimolar sensitivity are still the norm, there is now a developing interest in glucose sensors with micromolar sensitivity for applications in minimally invasive sampling techniques such as fast microdialysis and extraction of interstitial fluid by iontophoresis and laser poration. In this regard, the glucose binding protein (GBP) with a binding constant for glucose in the micromolar range is of particular relevance. GBP is one of the soluble binding proteins found in the periplasmic space of Gram-negative bacteria. Because of its hinge-like tertiary structure, glucose binding induces a large conformational change, which can be used for glucose sensing by attaching a polarity sensitive fluorescent probe to a site on the protein that is allosterically responsive to glucose binding. Correspondingly, the resulting optical biosensor has micromolar sensitivity to glucose. Because binding is reversible, the biosensor is reusable and can be stored at 4 degrees C for 6 months without losing its sensitivity. In this paper, we show the feasibility of using the GBP biosensor to monitor glucose in microdialysis. The effect of perfusion rate, bulk glucose concentration and temperature on microdialysis efficiency was determined. Additionally, the glucose concentrations in mammalian cell culture were monitored to demonstrate the applicability of this sensor in complex and dynamic processes over a period of time. As the sensor is sensitive to micromolar glucose, high dialysis efficiency is not required when the bulk glucose concentration is within the millimolar physiological range. Thus, a perfusion rate of 10 microL/min or faster can be used, resulting in delay times of 1 min or less.     

In situ detection of mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures by fluorescent Hoechst 33258 stain

A simple, fast, and easily reproducible routine laboratory technique for detecting mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures is reported. Cells grown on a coverslip are fixed directly with Carnoy's, air-dried, stained with DNA-specific fluorescent Hoechst 33258, and examined microscopically. All cultures that were infected with mycoplasmas had readily discernible, small, morphologically uniform, bright fluorescent bodies in the extranuclear and intercellular space in contrast to the non-contaminated control cultures in which the extra-nuclear background appeared uniformly dark. To probe the degree of sensitivity to detect mycoplasmas, control cultures were infected with aliquots from serially diluted cells or media collected from Mycoplasma hyorhinus infected cultures. The lowest infection rate (0.40% by sampling 1 000 cells in average per culture 4–24 h after infection) scored presently, however, can easily be lowered by increasing sample size since a cell infected with even one mycoplasma can be discerned. These mycoplasmas resisted centrifugation at 2 500 rpm for 30 min and easily filtered through 0.22 μm pore-size filter membrane. Amazingly infection rate of 0.63% scored from 24 h post-infection incubation attained 100% contamination with several hundreds of mycoplasmas per host cell within 120 h.     

Molecular architecture of fungal cell walls. An approach by use of fluorescent markers

Fluorescent probes have been applied to analyze the molecular architecture of fungal cell surfaces. Binding patterns of aniline blue and FITC-labeled wheat germ agglutinin (FITC-WGA) elucidated class-specific properties. Aniline-blue-induced fluorescence was distributed over the entire cell walls from Ascomycetes, but was confined to sporangial walls of Zygomocetes, hyphal tips and a few other sites in Basidiomycetes, while no fluorescence was found with sporangia and rhizoids of Chytridiales. FITC-WGA in Zygomycetes and in Ascomycetes was restricted to few sites (e.g. apex of hyphae), in Basidiomycetes and Chytridiales label was evenly associated with the entire surface of hyphal walls, or sporangia and rhizoids. For Oomycetes, Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes, and Basidiomycetes differences in the molecular architecture between apex and hyphal side walls were discerned, although the chemical nature of these differences is distinct for each class. Species specific differences, due to differences in binding patterns of several lectins are not apparent at fungal cell surfaces. The degree of intraspecies variation was found to be larger than interspecies diversification, suggesting changeableness of the molecular architecture of fungal cell walls. This is in contrast to assertions which we made by working on algae. There species-specific lectin binding patterns have been described.     

Mycoplasma detection in cell culture by concomitant use of bisbenzamide and fluoresceinated antibody

Summary Conditions are presented for application of both bisbenzamide (Hoechst 33258) stain and a specific fluoresceinated anti-Mycoplasma hyorhinis IgG to a single cell culture preparation. This allows the same field on a slide to be viewed for presumptive diagnosis of any cell culture contaminant mycoplasma by bisbenzamide staining and for definitive diagnosis ofM. hyorhinis strains using fluoresceinated antibody. The use of this method plus a cultural procedure will permit identification of the “noncultivable”M. hyorhinis strain DBS 1050.     

Demonstration of substance P in aortic nerve afferent fibers by combined use of fluorescent retrograde neuronal labeling and immunocytochemistry

Combined use of the intraaxonal retrograde transport of the fluorescent marker ‘true blue’ with substance P (SP) immunocytochemistry has been used to trace the nodose ganglion projections of SP-containing neurons of the aortic depressor nerve. It has been found that (1) SP immunoreactive (SP-I) cell bodies are clearly demonstrable in clusters in the rostral part of the nodose ganglion without the aid of colchicine pretreatment; (2) ‘true blue’ is retrogradely transported to the nodose ganglion following its application to the central cut end of the aortic nerve; (3) ‘true blue’ fluorescence and SP fluorescent immunoreactivity can be visualized in the same tissue section and certain cell bodies in the nodose ganglia contain both SP-I and retrogradely transported ‘true blue’. These results indicate that the aortic nerve which projects from the aortic arch baro- and/or chemoreceptors to brainstem vasomotor centers contains SP-I afferent fibers which emanate from the nodose ganglion.     

Accurate detection of carcinoma cells by use of a cell microarray chip

Background

Accurate detection and analysis of circulating tumor cells plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic cancer treatment.

Methods and Findings

A cell microarray chip was used to detect spiked carcinoma cells among leukocytes. The chip, with 20,944 microchambers (105 µm width and 50 µm depth), was made from polystyrene; and the formation of monolayers of leukocytes in the microchambers was observed. Cultured human T lymphoblastoid leukemia (CCRF-CEM) cells were used to examine the potential of the cell microarray chip for the detection of spiked carcinoma cells. A T lymphoblastoid leukemia suspension was dispersed on the chip surface, followed by 15 min standing to allow the leukocytes to settle down into the microchambers. Approximately 29 leukocytes were found in each microchamber when about 600,000 leukocytes in total were dispersed onto a cell microarray chip. Similarly, when leukocytes isolated from human whole blood were used, approximately 89 leukocytes entered each microchamber when about 1,800,000 leukocytes in total were placed onto the cell microarray chip. After washing the chip surface, PE-labeled anti-cytokeratin monoclonal antibody and APC-labeled anti-CD326 (EpCAM) monoclonal antibody solution were dispersed onto the chip surface and allowed to react for 15 min; and then a microarray scanner was employed to detect any fluorescence-positive cells within 20 min. In the experiments using spiked carcinoma cells (NCI-H1650, 0.01 to 0.0001%), accurate detection of carcinoma cells was achieved with PE-labeled anti-cytokeratin monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, verification of carcinoma cells in the microchambers was performed by double staining with the above monoclonal antibodies.

Conclusion

The potential application of the cell microarray chip for the detection of CTCs was shown, thus demonstrating accurate detection by double staining for cytokeratin and EpCAM at the single carcinoma cell level.     

Rapid DNA mapping by fluorescent single molecule detection

DNA mapping is an important analytical tool in genomic sequencing, medical diagnostics and pathogen identification. Here we report an optical DNA mapping strategy based on direct imaging of individual DNA molecules and localization of multiple sequence motifs on the molecules. Individual genomic DNA molecules were labeled with fluorescent dyes at specific sequence motifs by the action of nicking endonuclease followed by the incorporation of dye terminators with DNA polymerase. The labeled DNA molecules were then stretched into linear form on a modified glass surface and imaged using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. By determining the positions of the fluorescent labels with respect to the DNA backbone, the distribution of the sequence motif recognized by the nicking endonuclease can be established with good accuracy, in a manner similar to reading a barcode. With this approach, we constructed a specific sequence motif map of lambda-DNA. We further demonstrated the capability of this approach to rapidly type a human adenovirus and several strains of human rhinovirus.     

Differentiation of apoptotic and necrotic cells in suspension cultures of Taxus cuspidata by the combined use of fluorescent dying and histochemical staining methods

A method to differentiate apoptotic and necrotic cells in suspension cultures of Taxus cuspidata was developed by the combined use of the double-fluorescence dying and histochemical staining methods. The cultured cells were directly detected without the operations such as the removal of cell wall, fixing and section of cells as required by other conventional methods. Besides, the living cells, apoptotic and necrotic cells were simultaneously differentiated under a fluorescence microscope and the typical apoptotic morphological features could be observed throughout the whole process. The advantages of this method include simple operation, quick response and high accuracy.     

ABC transporters affect the detection of intracellular oxidants by fluorescent probes

Intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the control of cell physiology. For the assessment of intracellular ROS production, a plethora of fluorescent probes is commonly used. Interestingly, chemical structures of these probes imply they could be substrates of plasma membrane efflux pumps, called ABC transporters. This study tested whether the determination of intracellular ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential by selected fluorescent probes is modulated by the expression and activity of ABC transporters. The sub-clones of the HL-60 cell line over-expressing MDR1, MRP1 and BCRP transporters were employed. ROS production measured by luminol- and L-012-enhaced chemiluminescence and cytochrome c reduction assay showed similar levels of ROS production in all the employed cell lines. It was proved that dihydrorhodamine 123, dihexiloxocarbocyanine iodide, hydroethidine, tetrachloro-tetraethylbenzimidazolocarbo-cyanine iodide and tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester perchlorate are substrates for MDR1; dichlorodihydrofluoresceine, hydroethidine and tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester perchlorate are substrates for MRP1; dichlorodihydrofluoresceine, dihydrorhodamine 123, hydroethidine and tetrachloro-tetraethylbenzimidazolocarbo-cyanine iodide are substrates for BCRP. Thus, the determination of intracellular ROS and mitochondrial potential by the selected probes is significantly altered by ABC transporter activities. The activity of these transporters must be considered when employing fluorescent probes for the assessment of ROS production or mitochondrial membrane potential.     

Rapid detection of selected aneuploidies by quantitative fluorescent PCR

Selected aneuploidies can be rapidly diagnosed by the analysis of fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of chromosome-specific and highly polymorphic small tandem repeats (STRs). The quantitative STR patterns obtained from samples of normal individuals are markedly different from those seen when patients with aneuploidies involving chromosome X, or trisomies of chromosomes 21 and 18, are tested. For example, while samples from normal subjects – tested with a chromosome 21-derived STR (D21S11) – show two fluorescent PCR peaks with similar activities in a 1:1 ratio, the analysis of samples from patients with trisomy 21 reveals the presence of either three peaks (ratio 1:1:1), or two peaks with a ratio of 2:1. The use of an internal non-polymorphic marker allows identification of trisomic samples with three copies of the same allele. This rapid approach (24 hours) is particularly valuable when applied to prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities since it reduces the time of anxiety of the parents waiting for the results of the conventional cytogenetic tests, which require several weeks.     

A benzothiazole alkyne fluorescent sensor for Cu detection in living cell

A new type of alkyne dye, 6-dimethylaminobenzothiazole alkyne (1), was developed for Cu sensing in biological system. Dye (1) offered excellent selective over a panel of ions, only Cu(I) could change the fluorescence of dye (I) by forming copper acetylide between the terminal alkyne and Cu(I). Its potential of detecting Cu in biological system was demonstrated in cell culture.     

Creation of cell surface-engineered yeast that display different fluorescent proteins in response to the glucose concentration

We have successfully created a novel yeast strain able to monitor changes in environmental conditions by displaying either green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria or blue fluorescent protein (BFP), a variant of GFP, on its cell surface as a visible reporter. For the display of these fluorescent proteins on the cell surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiase, our cell-surface-engineering system was utilized. The GAPDH promoter, which is active in the presence of glucose, and the UPR-ICL promoter from Candida tropicalis, which starts to function in the presence of a reduced level of glucose, were employed simultaneously to express the GFP-encoding gene and the BFP-encoding gene, respectively. This cell-surface-engineered yeast strain emitted green fluorescence from the cell surface when sufficient glucose was present in the medium, and blue fluorescence from the same cell surface when the glucose in the medium was consumed. The fluorescent proteins displayed on the cell surface using the different promoters enabled us to monitor the concentrations of intra- and/or extracellular glucose that regulated activation or inactivation of the promoters. This novel yeast strain could facilitate the computerized control of various bioprocesses measuring emitted fluorescence.     

Quantitative detection of Chlamydia spp. by fluorescent PCR in the LightCycler

Quantitative detection of intracellular bacteria of the genus Chlamydia by the standard cell culture method is cumbersome and operator dependent. As an alternative, we adapted hot-start PCR to the glass capillary quantitative PCR format of the LightCycler. The optimized PCR was consistently more efficient than commercially available pre-assembled PCRs. Detection by quantitative PCR of as few as single copies of DNA of Chlamydia spp. was accomplished by SYBR Green fluorescence of the dsDNA product and by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) hybridization probes. The PCRs were 15-fold more sensitive than the cell culture quantitative assay of C. psittaci B577 infectious stock. The number of chlamydial genomes detected by C. psittaci B577 FRET PCR correlated well with cell culture determination of inclusion forming units (IFUs) (r = 0.96, P < 0.0008). When infected tissue samples were analyzed by cell culture and PCR, the correlation coefficient between IFUs and chlamydial genomes was higher with C. psittaci B577 FRET PCR (r = 0.90, P < 0.0004) than with Chlamydia omp1 SYBR Green PCR (r = 0.85, P < 0.002).     

Development and use of the assay for Legionella pneumophila detection based on fluorescent real-time/endpoint polymerase-chain reaction

The aim of the work was to develop a PCR-based assay for detection of L. pneumophila and L. micdadei in environmental samples as well as in clinical samples from low respiratory tract and to assess its analytic characteristics. The assay was used during investigation of the outbreak developed in July 2007 in town Verkhnyaya Pyshma (Sverdlovsk region). Polymerase-chain reaction (PCR)with fluorescent detection,sequencing and cloning of DNA fragments were used. Developed assay based on the PCR with fluorescent real-time/ endpointdetection is able to detect L. pneumophila in clinical and environmental samples and to quantify amount of bacterial DNA in water. Specificity of analysis (100%) was assessed using the panel of bacterial strains and samples from healthy individuals. Analytic sensitivity of assay and quantitation limit was 1000 GU in 1 ml. Sensitivity of the assay of artificially contaminated biological samples was 1000 bacteria in 1 ml. During outbreak investigation L. pneumophila DNAwas detected in 4 lung samples from 4 fatal cases, from 1 of 2 sputum samples, 1 of 2 bronchoalveolar lavage samples with X-ray confirmed pneumonia. Legionella's DNA was found in samples from cooling towers, central hot water supply as well as from showerheads in apartments of 3 patients. Fountain and drinking water samples were PCR-negative. Specificity of PCR-positive results was confirmed by sequencing. Use of the assay during outbreak in- vestigation allowed to confirm the diagnosis in fatal cases and quickly identify the possible source of infection.     

Fabry disease: identification of novel alpha-galactosidase A mutations and molecular carrier detection by use of fluorescent chemical cleavage of mismatches

Fabry disease (FD) (angiokeratoma corporis diffusum) is an X-linked inborn error of glycosphingolipid metabolism caused by defects in the lysosomal alpha-galactosidase A gene (GLA). The enzymatic defect leads to the systemic accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids with terminal alpha-galactosyl moieties. Clinically, affected hemizygous males have angiokeratoma, severe acroparesthesia, renal failure, and vasculopathy of the heart and brain. While demonstration of alpha-galactosidase deficiency in leukocytes is diagnostic in affected males, enzymatic detection of female carriers is often inconclusive, due to random X-chromosomal inactivation, underlining the need of molecular investigations for accurate genetic counseling. By use of chemical cleavage of mismatches adapted to fluorescence-based detection systems, we have characterized the mutations underlying alpha-Gal A deficiency in 16 individuals from six unrelated families with FD. The mutational spectrum included five missense mutations (C202W, C223G, N224D, R301Q, and Q327K) and one splice-site mutation [IVS3 G(-1) --> C]. Studies at the mRNA level showed that the latter led to altered pre-mRNA splicing with consequent alteration of the mRNA translational reading frame and generation of a premature termination codon of translation. By use of this strategy, carrier status was accurately assessed in all seven at-risk females tested, whereas enzymatic dosages failed to diagnose or exclude heterozygosity.