Detecting and Characterizing Protein Self-Assembly In Vivo by Flow Cytometry

J Vis Exp. 2019 Jul 17:(149):10.3791/59577. doi: 10.3791/59577.

Abstract

Protein self-assembly governs protein function and compartmentalizes cellular processes in space and time. Current methods to study it suffer from low-sensitivity, indirect read-outs, limited throughput, and/or population-level rather than single-cell resolution. We designed a flow cytometry-based single methodology that addresses all of these limitations: Distributed Amphifluoric FRET or DAmFRET. DAmFRET detects and quantifies protein self-assemblies by sensitized emission FRET in vivo, enables deployment across model systems-from yeast to human cells-and achieves sensitive, single-cell, high-throughput read-outs irrespective of protein localization or solubility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Flow Cytometry / methods*
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Proteins