In-depth fluorescence lifetime imaging analysis revealing SNAP25A-Rabphilin 3A interactions

Microsc Microanal. 2008 Dec;14(6):507-18. doi: 10.1017/S1431927608080628.

Abstract

The high sensitivity and spatial resolution enabled by two-photon excitation fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy/fluorescence resonance energy transfer (2PE-FLIM/FRET) provide an effective approach that reveals protein-protein interactions in a single cell during stimulated exocytosis. Enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)-labeled synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP25A) and red fluorescence protein (mRFP)-labeled Rabphillin 3A (RPH3A) were co-expressed in PC12 cells as the FRET donor and acceptor, respectively. The FLIM images of EGFP-SNAP25A suggested that SNAP25A/RPH3A interaction was increased during exocytosis. In addition, the multidimensional (three-dimensional with time) nature of the 2PE-FLIM image datasets can also resolve the protein interactions in the z direction, and we have compared several image analysis methods to extract more accurate and detailed information from the FLIM images. Fluorescence lifetime was fitted by using one and two component analysis. The lifetime FRET efficiency was calculated by the peak lifetime (taupeak) and the left side of the half-peak width (tau1/2), respectively. The results show that FRET efficiency increased at cell surface, which suggests that SNAP25A/RPH3A interactions take place at cell surface during stimulated exocytosis. In summary, we have demonstrated that the 2PE-FLIM/FRET technique is a powerful tool to reveal dynamic SNAP25A/RPH3A interactions in single neuroendocrine cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Exocytosis
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuroendocrine Cells / cytology
  • Neuroendocrine Cells / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Transport
  • Rabphilin-3A
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25 / genetics
  • Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25 / metabolism*
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Snap25 protein, rat
  • Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins