title: Enzyme assays for confocal single molecule spectroscopy.
abstract: During the last years confocal techniques have become increasingly popular for probing biological enzymatic reactions. In this paper we will summarize some of these methods, mainly focusing on measurement techniques suitable for analysis of freely diffusing molecules, where either the substrates or the enzymes are fluorescently labeled. The different approaches are classified according to their basic principles and algorithms. Several examples of enzymatic studies involving correlation strategies for data processing, like auto- and cross correlation analysis, will be presented. In addition, other evaluation schemes like coincidence analysis and fluorescence intensity distribution analysis are introduced and discussed. With respect to assay development, the fluorescence energy transfer principle is addressed as far as it is has been applied for investigating biocatalysis in solution. Finally, one part of this review addresses the aspects of bioconjugation and the basic requirements for proper labeling dyes in order to be compatible with single molecule fluorescent spectroscopy.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Experimental Biophysics Group, Dep. 082, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen Germany. mjahnz@gwdg.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jahnz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schwille
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / Q000032:analysis; D004798:Enzymes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II