title: Single-molecule imaging of fluorescent proteins expressed in living cells.
abstract: This chapter focuses on single-molecule imaging (SMI) in living cells using green fluorescent protein (GFP) or its related fluorescent protein tags (GFPs). Use of GFPs is a convenient technique to achieve molecular imaging of most proteins in living cells. However, because of difficulties in preparing samples suitable for SMI and the instability of fluorescence signals, special care is required for SMI using GFPs in living cells. Techniques for vector preparation, protein expression, sample preparation, microscopy, and image processing for SMI of GFPs in living cells are discussed in this chapter, along with examples of imaging applications. Double labeling of single molecules and single-pair fluorescent resonance energy transfer (spFRET) are possible in living cells using GFP and YFP as fluorescent tags. The limitations of SMI using GFPs are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Cellular Informatics Laboratory, 2-1 Hirosawa, 351-0198, RIKEN, Wako, Japan.
authors.forename: Kayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hibino
authors.forename: Michio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hiroshima
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sako
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002477:Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / Q000379:methods; D015870:Gene Expression; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055096:Optical Devices; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; D018631:ras Proteins