Super-resolution dynamic imaging of dendritic spines using a low-affinity photoconvertible actin probe.

ABSTRACT: The actin cytoskeleton of dendritic spines plays a key role in morphological aspects of synaptic plasticity. The detailed analysis of the spine structure and dynamics in live neurons, however, has been hampered by the diffraction-limited resolution of conventional fluorescence microscopy. The advent of nanoscopic imaging techniques thus holds great promise for the study of these processes. We implemented a strategy for the visualization of morphological changes of dendritic spines over tens of minutes at a lateral resolution of 25 to 65 nm. We have generated a low-affinity photoconvertible probe, capable of reversibly binding to actin and thus allowing long-term photoactivated localization microscopy of the spine cytoskeleton. Using this approach, we resolve structural parameters of spines

SUBMITTER: Izeddin I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3022016 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature