Resolving multi-molecular protein interactions by photoactivated localization microscopy.

ABSTRACT: Multi-molecular protein complexes are critical to many cellular functions, including signaling, DNA transcription and enzymatic reactions. In spite of their importance, current research techniques such as biochemistry and diffraction-limited microscopy cannot resolve the heterogeneity and nanoscale organization of protein complexes in intact cells. Here we describe a technique that enables the study of multi-molecular protein complexes at the single molecule level in intact cells. The technique uses photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) to resolve individual proteins with a resolution down to 20nm in intact cells, and second-order statistics to study the spatial interactions of the proteins. We demonstrate the feasibility of this technique by studying signaling complexes that form

SUBMITTER: Sherman E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3608816 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature