title: Probing cell surface interactions using atomic force microscope cantilevers functionalized for quantum dot-enabled Forster resonance energy transfer.
abstract: Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between quantum dot (QD) donors and red fluorescent protein (RFP)-tagged integrin acceptors in live cells is reported for the first time. A silica microsphere was coated with CdSeZnS QDs and mounted to the cantilever of an atomic force microscope (AFM). The QD microsphere is then conjugated with fibronectin to bind with RFP-alphav integrins expressed on the surface of HeLa cells. Following AFM-controlled cell contact with the QD-microsphere structure, FRET is observed between the QD-RFP pair using a photobleaching measurement technique. This FRET probe technique provides a novel tool for studying the cell surface receptor-ligand interactions in biomedical and biological research.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ameet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Juriani
authors.forename: Gerald A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Meininger
authors.forename: Kenith E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Meissner
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D045663:Quantum Dots
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins