FRET技术及其在蛋白质-蛋白质分子相互作用研究中的应用

简要综述了FRET方法在活细胞生理条件下研究蛋白质-蛋白质间相互作用方面的最新进展.蛋白质-蛋白质间相互作用在整个细胞生命过程中占有重要地位,由于细胞内各种组分极其复杂,因此一些传统研究蛋白质-蛋白质间相互作用的方法,例如酵母双杂交、免疫沉淀等可能会丢失某些重要的信息,无法正确地反映在当时活细胞生理条件下蛋白质-蛋白质间相互作用的动态变化过程.荧光共振能量转移（fluorescence resonance energy transfer, FRET）是近来发展的一项新技术,此项技术的应用,为在活细胞生理条件下对蛋白质-蛋白质间相互作用进行实时的动态研究,提供一个非常便利的条件.     

利用FRET技术在活细胞内研究红景天甙对Aβ25-35诱导PCI2细胞凋亡的抑制作用

为研究红景天甙（salidroside）对β淀粉样肽25-35（β amyloid peptide25-35,Aβ25-35）诱导PC12细胞凋亡的抑制作用,采用Cell Counting Kit-8（CCK-8）分析细胞的存活率,通过光镜检测细胞形态并配以Hoechst染色检测细胞核固缩,利用荧光共振能量转移（fluorescence resonance energy transfer,FRET）技术在单个活细胞中检测caspase-3和caspase-8活性的动态变化。结果表明,红景天甙可剂量依赖性抑制Aβ25-35引起的细胞凋亡,提高细胞的存活率;红景天甙对caspase-3的活性有明显的抑制作用,而且Aβ25-35诱导细胞凋亡不依赖于caspase-8的激活。这些结果提示抑制caspase-3的活性是红景天甙抑制Aβ25-35诱导PC12细胞凋亡的机制之一。     

利用FRET技术在活细胞内研究红景天甙对Aβ25-35诱导PC12细胞凋亡的抑制作用

为研究红景天甙(salidroside)对-淀粉样肽25-35(.amyloidpeptide25-35,A/25-3)5诱导PC12细胞凋亡的抑制作用,采用CellCountingKit-8(CCK-8)分析细胞的存活率,通过光镜检测细胞形态并配以Hoechst染色检测细胞核固缩,利用荧光共振能量转移(fluorescenceresonanceenergytransfer,FRET)技术在单个活细胞中检测caspase-3和caspase-8活性的动态变化。结果表明,红景天甙可剂量依赖性抑制A025-35引起的细胞凋亡,提高细胞的存活率;红景天甙对caspase-3的活性有明显的抑制作用,而且A125-35诱导细胞凋亡不依赖于caspase-8的激活。这些结果提示抑制caspase-3的活性是红景天甙抑制A225-35诱导PC12细胞凋亡的机制之一。     

单个活细胞中生物分子动态行为的FRET实时检测

分别采用两种不同绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescent prote in,GFP)突变体作为荧光共振能量转移(fluo-rescence resonance energy transfer,FRET)对的供体和受体,并利用分子生物学技术将供体和受体分子分别与特定的生物分子融合,这种技术已经成为在单个活细胞中实时长时间检测蛋白质间的动态相互作用的主要技术。主要介绍了基于GFPs的FRET技术在单个活细胞中实时长时间研究生物分子动态行为的应用。     

在活细胞中应用FRET技术研究TGFβ/TβRI信号传导

转移生长因子β(TGFβ)信号传导通路参与调节细胞的增殖、分化、凋亡、细胞迁移等一系列细胞过程,与骨代谢疾病的发病机制密切相关.本研究根据荧光共振能量转移(FRET)技术原理,构建包含CFP-TβRI-YFP融合蛋白的TβRI生物传感器,转染293T细胞,观察转染效率.以TGFβ1为诱导剂,激活TGFβ/TβRI信号传导通路,在活细胞生理条件下,动态监测TβRI生物传感器的FRET效应.结果表明,成功构建了TβRI生物传感器,转染细胞效率达50%,在TGFβ1诱导刺激6min后,FRET效率增加并达到最大值,该过程经历9 min后,随时间的延长,FRET效率下降.研究结果表明:在活细胞生理条件下,TGFβ1/TβRI信号转导过程存在一定的时间特异性.     

利用FRET技术研究Hepcidin 和Fpn 相互作用

铁是生命必需的微量元素,ferroportin(Fpn)是小肠吸收细胞铁释放的重要蛋白。新近发现肝脏分泌的抗菌多肽 hepcidin 具有调节肠铁吸收的重要作用,但目前尚缺少Fpn和hepcidin发生作用的实验依据。应用荧光共振能量转移技术(fluorescence resonance energy transfer ,FRET)对hepcidin和Fpn之间的作用关系进行了深入研究。首先进行了hepcidin-CF P融合蛋白表达载体的构建及表达鉴定;然后对含YFP,Fpn-YFP基因动物细胞表达载体的构建、表达和FRET检测。实验结果证实hepcidin和Fpn之间存在直接的相互作用,并发现两种蛋白发生相互作用后hepcidin也在细胞质中有分布。为临床治疗铁代谢紊乱性疾病提供了新的治疗策略和重要理论依据。     

基于C6流式细胞仪平台应用FRET技术在活细胞中研究蛋白质相互作用

荧光共振能量转移(fluorescence resonance energy transfer,FRET)显微镜技术被广泛应用于在活细胞中研究蛋白质相互作用。随着流式细胞术(fluorescence activated cell sorting,FACS)的发展与应用,FACS-FRET技术不但可以检测活细胞中蛋白质相互作用,还可以进行定量统计分析。由于流式细胞仪价格昂贵、FRET技术对荧光基团发光光谱的特殊要求等原因,目前为止FACS-FRET技术仅仅被应用到一些特殊的科学研究。为了解决这些问题,构建了一对新的FRET荧光基团EGFP-m Cherry,并且在小型流式细胞仪C6上检测了EGFP-m Cherry融合蛋白的FRET信号,最后使用已明确有相互作用关系的p53蛋白和MDM2蛋白做验证,证明了所构建的EGFPm Cherry可以作为检测FRET信号的荧光基团。不仅促进了FACS-FRET技术的发展,还为人类疾病治疗的药物作用靶点研究提供了有利的研究手段。     

利用FRET技术实时研究顺铂诱导的Caspase-9活化

该研究旨在在活细胞内研究顺铂诱导Caspase-9活化的动态过程.实验样品经顺铂处理后,应用基于FRET原理设计的荧光探针pSCAT-9来检测Capase-9活化的动态过程.结果表明:在顺铂诱导细胞凋亡的后期,可以明显检测到Caspase-9的活化,且其进程快,约30 min即可完成.研究表明,应用FRET技术,可以在活细胞内实时、直观、可视地研究顺铂诱导的Capase-9活化,从而客观地反映Caspase-9在该凋亡信号通路中的动态行为及时空传递特性.     

利用荧光共振能量转移技术在活细胞内研究顺铂诱导的凋亡信号通路

为在活细胞内探讨顺铂诱导的凋亡通路．实验样品经顺铂处理后,应用基于荧光共振能量转移(FRET)原理设计的荧光探针pFRET-Bid和pSCAT-3来检测Bid切割和Capase-3活化的动态变化,同时,利用荧光成像在亚细胞水平对Bid转位线粒体的动力学特征进行了实时分析．结果表明：在顺铂诱导的细胞凋亡过程中,Bid切割发生在药物刺激后4～5 h, 历时(120±20) min．Bid切割活化后即从胞浆内转位到线粒体,历时(90±15) min．在凋亡后期,可以明显检测到Caspase-3 的激活．研究表明,应用FRET及荧光成像技术,可以在活细胞内实时、直观、可视地研究顺铂诱导的细胞凋亡过程,从而客观地反映了Bid、Caspase-3等蛋白质分子在该凋亡信号通路中的动态行为及时空传递特性．     

新FRET技术可观测蛋白质的结构变化

美国华盛顿大学的研究者宣称开发了一种新的荧光共振能量转移（Fluorescent Resonance Energy Transfer,FRET）技术。在这种技术的帮助下,可以观察到变构蛋白在原子尺度上的结构变化。     

A STOPPED-FLOW FLUORESCENCE ANISOTROPY METHOD FOR MEASURING HORMONE BINDING AND DISSOCIATION KINETICS WITH CELL-SURFACE RECEPTORS IN LIVING CELLS

ABSTRACT

We have developed a system for extending stopped-flow analysis to the kinetics of ligand capture and release by cell surface receptors in living cells. While most mammalian cell lines cannot survive the shear forces associated with turbulent, stopped-flow mixing, we determined that 32D cells, murine hematopoietic precursor cells, can survive rapid mixing, even at the high flow rates necessary to achieve dwell times as short as 10?msec. In addition, 32D cells do not express any member of the ErbB family of receptors, providing a null background for studying this receptor family. We have established a series of stable, monoclonal 32D-derived cell lines that express the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, ErbB2, or a combination of both at different ratios. Using these cell lines and a homogeneous fluorescent derivative of H22Y-mEGF modified with fluorescein at the amino terminus (F-EGF), we have measured association and dissociation of F-EGF with its receptor. Association was measured by following the time-dependent changes in fluorescence anisotropy after rapidly mixing cells at various cell densities with F-EGF at 1–15?nM. Dissociation was measured both by chase experiments in which unlabeled EGF was mixed with cells pre-equilibrated with F-EGF or by dilution of cells equilibrated with F-EGF. Comparison of these dissociation experiments demonstrated that little or no ligand-induced dissociation occurs in the chase dissociation experiments. For each cell line, data from a series of association experiments and dilution dissociation experiments were subjected to global analysis using a two independent receptor-class model. Our analysis is consistent with the presence of two distinct receptor populations, even in cells bearing only the EGF receptor. Increasing the relative expression of ErbB2 leads to an increase in the fraction of high affinity class receptors observed, without altering the total number of EGF binding sites.     

Dual-channel photobleaching FRET microscopy for improved resolution of protein association states in living cells

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from a donor-labelled molecule to an acceptor-labelled molecule is a useful, proximity-based fluorescence tool to discriminate molecular states on the surface and in the interior of cells. Most microscope-based determinations of FRET yield only a single value, the interpretation of which is necessarily model-dependent. In this paper we demonstrate two new measurements of FRET heterogeneity using selective donor photobleaching in combination with synchronous donor/acceptor detection based on either (1) full kinetic analysis of donor-detected and acceptor-detected donor photobleaching or (2) a simple time-based ratiometric approach. We apply the new methods to study the cell surface distribution of concanavalin A yielding estimates of FRET and non-FRET population distributions, as well as FRET efficiencies within the FRET populations.     

Comparison of quantum dot-binding protein tags: Affinity determination by ultracentrifugation and FRET

Background

Hybrid complexes of proteins and colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QDs) are of increasing interest in various fields of biochemistry and biomedicine, for instance for biolabeling or drug transport. The usefulness of protein–QD complexes for such applications is dependent on the binding specificity and strength of the components. Often the binding properties of these components are difficult and time consuming to assess.

Methods

In this work we characterized the interaction between recombinant light harvesting chlorophyll a/b complex (LHCII) and CdTe/CdSe/ZnS QDs by using ultracentrifugation and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay experiments. Ultracentrifugation was employed as a fast method to compare the binding strength between different protein tags and the QDs. Furthermore the LHCII:QD stoichiometry was determined by separating the protein–QD hybrid complexes from unbound LHCII via ultracentrifugation through a sucrose cushion.

Results

One trimeric LHCII was found to be bound per QD. Binding constants were evaluated by FRET assays of protein derivatives carrying different affinity tags. A new tetra-cysteine motif interacted more strongly (K_a = 4.9 ± 1.9 nM^− 1) with the nanoparticles as compared to a hexahistidine tag (His₆ tag) (K_a ~ 1 nM^− 1).

Conclusion

Relative binding affinities and binding stoichiometries of hybrid complexes from LHCII and quantum dots were identified via fast ultracentrifugation, and binding constants were determined via FRET assays.

General significance

The combination of rapid centrifugation and fluorescence-based titration will be useful to assess the binding strength between different types of nanoparticles and a broad range of proteins.     

细支气管肺泡细胞增生和细支气管肺泡细胞癌内生长因子和蛋白激酶C的表达

表皮生长因子（ＥＧＦ）、转化生长因子－α（ＴＧＦα）、表皮生长因子受体（ＥＧＦＲ）和蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）与细胞生长、增殖分化调节和细胞癌变有密切关系。作者用免疫组织化学方法检测了细支气管肺泡细胞增生（ＢＡＨ）和细支气管肺泡细胞癌（ＢＡＣ）的ＥＧＦ、ＴＧＦα、ＥＧＦＲ和ＰＫＣ表达。结果表明：ＢＡＣ中的ＥＧＦ、ＴＧＦα阳性率和阳性强度以及ＥＧＦＲ、ＰＫＣ阳性强度均明显高于ＢＡＨ。ＢＡＨ的重度不典型增生病例,其ＥＧＦ、ＴＧＦα、ＥＧＦＲ和ＰＫＣ均呈高表达。ＴＧＦα、ＥＧＦＲ和ＰＫＣ三者在ＢＡＣ和ＢＡＨ中的表达存在明显相关性。提示：ＴＧＦα及其受体ＥＧＦＲ和ＰＫＣ是细支气管肺泡细胞增生、恶性转化和肺泡癌细胞失控生长的重要因素。     

FRET evidence that an isoform of caspase-7 binds but does not cleave its substrate

A caspase-7 biosensor (vDEVDc) based on FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) was used to study the proteolytic properties of caspase-7, an executioner protease in cellular apoptosis. An active isoform of caspase-7 with the 56 N-terminal residues truncated (57casp7) cleaved vDEVDc at the recognition sequence, resulting in a FRET efficiency decrease of 61%. In contrast, an isoform with the 23 N-terminal residues truncated (24casp7) bound to vDEVDc but did not cleave the substrate, resulting in a FRET increase of 15%. Kinetic results showed an exponential substrate cleavage and binding curve for the 57casp7 and 24casp7 isoforms, respectively. FRET changes of the vDEVDc biosensor were also monitored in cos-7 cells upon STS-induced apoptosis. Finally, we modeled caspase-7 binding to vDEVDc and estimated a FRET emission ratio increase of 31.7%, which agrees with the 15% experimental result. We showed that two differently truncated isoforms of caspase-7 exhibit different enzymatic properties, namely binding by 24casp7 and hydrolysis by 57casp7.     

生物大分子相互作用检测技术新进展———三色荧光级联荧光共振能量转移技术

荧光共振能量转移(fluorescenceresonanceenergytransfer,FRET),是指能量从一种受激发的荧光基团(fluorophore)以非辐射的方式转移到另一种荧光基团的物理现象.FRET的能量转移效率是两个荧光基团间距离的函数,并对此距离十分敏感,它的有效响应距离一般在1～10nm之间,因而可被用于测定原子间及分子间的距离.这一特点使FRET技术在大分子构象变化、大分子之间相互作用、细胞信号通路等研究中发挥重要作用,成为生物医学研究中的重要方法.但细胞内的生物学过程常常涉及多于两个的大分子间相互作用,二色荧光基团的FRET技术不能满足这种生物学研究的需求.最近,两个研究小组在这方面取得突破,建立了分别基于共聚焦显微镜和流式细胞仪的三色荧光级联FRET技术.这一技术的出现将会极大地促进生物学及相关研究领域的发展.     

EXPOSURE TO 50 HZ ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS INDUCES THE PHOSPHORYLATION AND ACTIVITY OF STRESS-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE IN CULTURED CELLS

Protein phosphorylation is one of the important processes of cell signal transduction pathways. To study the effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic field (EMF) on the cell signal transduction process, the phosphorylation of stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK/JNK) extracted from Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells exposed to 0.4 and 0.8 mT 50 Hz EMF for various durations was measured. A solid-phase kinase assay was used to measure the enzymatic activity of SAPK extracted from cells exposed to 50 Hz EMF at the same magnetic flux density and for only 15 min. The results showed that both 0.4 and 0.8 mT could induce the phosphorylation of SAPK, the phosphorylation of SAPK presented a time-dependent course, and there was a difference between the two intensities. The phosphorylated SAPK enhanced its enzymatic activity. All the data indicated that 50 Hz EMF could activate SAPK in a time- and intensity-dependent manner. The biological effects caused by 50 Hz EMF maybe related to the SAPK signal transduction pathway.     

GFP-mTn融合蛋白对蓝猪耳生活细胞微丝骨架的标记

用农杆菌介导法将嵌合基因GFP-mTn(mTn是微丝结合蛋白Talin的微丝结合域,可以显示活体细胞中微丝的结构)导入蓝猪耳.经激光共聚焦显微镜观察了转基因植株的各种不同组织中融合蛋白的表达和分布情况.在叶片的表皮细胞、保卫细胞、根部的皮层细胞中有融合蛋白的不同程度表达.但仅在保卫细胞中微丝标记状况良好,显示基因表达的组织特异性.经光诱导处于开放态的气孔的保卫细胞微丝呈网状结构,在细胞内无规则分布;经黑暗诱导处于关闭态的气孔保卫细胞中微丝束沿保卫细胞纵轴排列,呈卷曲状分布,并观察到螺旋和环状的微丝结构.在转基因植株的其他部位,例如茎表皮细胞、根毛细胞和花粉粒中,未检测到目的基因的表达.本研究获得的转基因植株为研究气孔运动过程中微丝动态变化提供了有用的材料.     

Microarray analysis of protein-protein interactions based on FRET using subnanosecond-resolved fluorescence lifetime imaging

The detection of protein-protein binding on microarrays using the fluorescence lifetime as a dynamic analytical parameter was investigated in a model system. The assay is based on F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and carried out with biotinylated Bovine Serum Albumin and streptavidin, labeled with the commonly used microarray dyes Alexa 555 and Alexa 647, respectively. This efficient FRET donor/acceptor pair was employed in a competitive assay format on three different microarray surfaces. The fluorescence was excited by 200ps laser pulses from a mode-locked and cavity-dumped argon-ion laser, adapted to an intensified CCD camera as detection unit allowing time resolution with subnanosecond precision. Lifetime maps were recorded according to the Rapid Lifetime Determination (RLD) scheme. Interaction between the proteins could clearly be detected on all formats and resulted in almost complete quenching on CEL Epoxy surfaces upon addition of excess streptavidin labeled the FRET acceptor dye. In this case, the fluorescence lifetimes dropped by 90%, whereas on ARChip Epoxy and ARChip Gel the reduction was 54% and 47%, respectively. Good linearity of the quenching curve was obtained in all cases. The method is applicable to all types of protein interaction analysis on microarrays, particularly in cases where evaluation of fluorescence intensity is prone to erroneous results and a more robust parameter is required.