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Detection and identification of single molecules in living cells using spectrally resolved fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12720354     Owner:  NLM     Status:  PubMed-not-MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The detection of single mRNA molecules tagged by microinjected, singly fluorescently labeled oligo(dT) 43-mer molecules in living cells in quasi-natural surrounding, that is, cell culture medium, is demonstrated. Single-stranded oligonucleotides were labeled at the 5'-end with a red-absorbing oxazine derivative (MR121) and excited by a pulsed laser diode emitting at 635 nm with a repetition rate of 64 MHz. Spectrally resolved fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (SFLIM) on untreated living 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells reveals autofluorescence signals found predominately in the cytoplasm with fluorescence lifetimes of approximately 1.3 ns and emission maximums of approximately 665-670 nm. Hence, fluorescence signals of single MR121-labeled oligonucleotide molecules that exhibit a fluorescence lifetime of 2.8 ns and a fluorescence emission maximum of 685 nm can be easily discriminated against autofluorescence. MR121-labeled oligonucleotides were microinjected into the cytoplasm or nucleus of living 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells using a micropipet. Since the micropipet exhibits an inner diameter of 500 +/- 200 nm at the very end of the tip-comparable to the diameter of the detection volume applied-the number of molecules delivered into the cell via the micropipet can be counted. Furthermore, the presented technique enables the quantitative detection and time-resolved identification of single molecules in living cells as a result of their characteristic emission maximums and fluorescence lifetime. The results obtained from single-molecule studies demonstrate for the first time that 10-30% of the microinjected oligo(dT) 43-mer molecules cannot diffuse freely inside of the nucleus but, rather, are tethered to immobile elements of the transcriptional, splicing, or polyadenylation machinery.
Authors:
Jens-Peter Knemeyer; Dirk-Peter Herten; Markus Sauer
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Analytical chemistry     Volume:  75     ISSN:  0003-2700     ISO Abbreviation:  Anal. Chem.     Publication Date:  2003 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2003-04-30     Completed Date:  2003-09-08     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0370536     Medline TA:  Anal Chem     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  2147-53     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Physikalisch-Chemisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 253, Germany.
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