Rapid characterization of green fluorescent protein fusion proteins on the molecular and cellular level by fluorescence correlation microscopy

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Aug 31;96(18):10123-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.96.18.10123.

Abstract

Fluorescence correlation microscopy (FCM) was applied to characterize fusion proteins of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) on the cellular as well as molecular level within seconds in an integrated instrument. FCM combines the inherent sensitivity and high spatial resolution of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy with fluorescence imaging and micropositioning, thereby providing a spectrum of molecular information in the cellular context. Signatures of characteristic parameters derived from the autocorrelation functions served to distinguish a GFP fusion protein of the epidermal growth factor receptor from GFP fluorescence in the endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasm. Diffusion constants measured for free transiently expressed GFP reproduced values reported previously with other techniques. The accessible concentration range extends from millions to only a few thousand molecules per cell, with single molecule detectability in the femtoliter detection volume. The detailed molecular characterization offered by FCM is fully compatible with automation in sample identification and detection, offering new possibilities for highly integrated high-throughput screening.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Automation
  • CHO Cells
  • Cricetinae
  • Cytoplasm / ultrastructure
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / ultrastructure
  • ErbB Receptors / analysis*
  • ErbB Receptors / ultrastructure*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins / analysis*
  • Luminescent Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / instrumentation
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / analysis*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / ultrastructure*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • ErbB Receptors