High-throughput analysis of the dynamics of recycling cell surface proteins

Methods Mol Biol. 2008:440:129-46. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-178-9_10.

Abstract

Recycling via the plasma membrane is a key feature that is shared by many membrane proteins. Using a combination of indirect immunofluorescence labeling and fluorescence detection using a fluorescence multiwell plate reader, we exploited the possibilities of quantitatively measuring the trafficking kinetics of transmembrane proteins. Parameters that can be studied include dynamic appearance/presence at the cell surface, recycling via the cell surface, and internalization. For the insulin-responsive glucose transporter GLUT4 (glucose transporter number 4), details are presented on how to quantitatively measure insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation toward the plasma membrane (transition state) and to analyze cell surface recycling of GLUT4 in basal and insulin-stimulated cells (steady state).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Adipocytes / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Endocytosis*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect*
  • Glucose Transporter Type 4 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Kinetics
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Protein Transport
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence*
  • Transduction, Genetic

Substances

  • Glucose Transporter Type 4
  • Insulin
  • Membrane Proteins