Pulse shape analysis (PulSA) to track protein translocalization in cells by flow cytometry: applications for polyglutamine aggregation

Methods Mol Biol. 2013:1017:85-93. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-438-8_6.

Abstract

Pulse shape analysis (PulSA) is a flow cytometry-based method that can be used to study protein localization patterns in cells. Examples for its use include tracking the formation of inclusion bodies of polyglutamine-expanded proteins and other aggregating proteins. The method can also be used for phenomena relating to protein movements in cells such as translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, trafficking from the plasma membrane to the Golgi, and stress granule formation. An attractive feature is its capacity to quantify these parameters in whole-cell populations very quickly and in high throughput. We describe the basic experimental details for performing PulSA using expression of GFP-tagged proteins, endogenous proteins labelled immunofluorescently, and organelle dyes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / pathology
  • Flow Cytometry / methods*
  • Golgi Apparatus / genetics
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism*
  • Golgi Apparatus / pathology
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies / genetics
  • Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies / metabolism*
  • Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies / pathology
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • polyglutamine