New Cell Signaling Probes:Optogenectis

Manuela Buonanno

Outline

• Why nanotechology

• Optogenetics

• Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)– Applications

Nanofibers

Scanning electron micrograph of an optical nanofiber with a 50 nm tip diameter (left)

When coated with 200 nm of silver metal the tip has a final diameter of 250 nm (right)

Optogenetics: Optics applied to biology

• Some microorganisms produce light-gated proteins that regulate ions flow

• Discovery of bacteriorhodopsin as ion pumps

• ‘’Rhodopsin’’ proteins family switch neurons on and off depending on the color of the incident light

Optogenetics Neuroscience and beyond

• Change in membrane potential

• Excitable and non-excitable cells

Deissroth, K. Optogenetics Nature Methods 8 (1), 2011

Optogenetics tools• Use of photosensitive proteins

– Opsin, a transmembrane protein activated by retinal, a chromophore present in most cells

– Light-activated adenylyl cyclase, part of the G protein signaling cascade cAMP, a second messenger modulation of cell signaling

Optogenetics tools• Use of photosensitive proteins

– Activation/inactivation of channelrhodopisn Ca2+ channels

• Ca2+ modulates the opening/closing of specific gap junctions

• Ca2+ as a player in bystander effects

Optogenetics tools• Use of photosensitive proteins

– Chimeric proteins= light-absorbing domains + protein effector domains

• OptoXRs -> G protein-mediated signaling pathways

• LOV2 + the cromophore flavin cell movement (invasiveness)

– Activation of light-sensitive enzymes actin filaments formation

Optogenetics tools

• Photosensitive release of caged-ligands– Delivery system (antibody/antigen; any ligand/receptor pair)

– Local release of a compound (i.e. antioxidants) after a stress (i.e. ionizing radiation)

A method in optogenetic for single cell analysis

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Nano-Needles

– Nanoprobes surfaces coated with gold or silver nanoparticles

Kambiz Pourrezaei and Sina NassiriDrexel University School of Biomedical Eng.,

Science and Health Systems, Philadelphia

Raman spectroscopy• Based on the inelastic scattering of photons by molecular bonds

• Upon interaction with a molecule, the scattered photons can either lose part of their energy (“Stokes”-shifted) or gain energy (“anti-Stokes”-shifted)

Raman spectroscopy

• The scattering causes changes in molecular vibrations of the substance under investigation

• Viewed at a spectrometer, they appear as lines

Each compound has its own uniqueRaman spectrum

Each compound has its uniqueRaman spectrum

Overview of applications

• Nano mass spectrometry for single cells and in different cell compartments

• Differentiate molecules before/after stress (i.e. ionizing radiation)

• Measure membrane potential (excitable and non-excitable cells)

Optogenetics for single cell analysis 1

Cell nucleus

Cytoplasm

Applications: • Components analysis in different cell compartments (nucleus, cytoplasm, organelles)

• Micro-injection of compounds (i.e., antitumor drugs) Vitol, EA et al. ACS NANO 2009

Optogenetics for single cell analysis 2

Micropipette insertedin the cytoplasm

Applications: • Response to perturbations of the microenvironment

Optogenetics for single cell analysis 3

• Macromolecular complexes, important for regulatory and structural functions, concentrate into discrete subnuclear domains

• Examples:– Synthesis of ribosomes in the nucleolus

– RNA processing in the nuclear speckles

– DNA folding into relaxed euchromatin and densely packed heterochromatin

Pliss, A. et al. Nonlinear Optical Imaging and Raman Microspectrometry of the Cell Nucleus throughout the Cell Cycle. Biophysical Journal (99) 2010

HeLa cellsImmunolabeling of subnuclear domains

Fixed cells

Raman shift (cm-1)

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Raman shift (cm-1)

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Raman shift (cm-1)

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Raman shift (cm-1)

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In radiobiology…

• Do Raman spectra (macromolecule concentration) of subnuclear domains change with radiation dose and/or LET?

• If so, do the cell return to normal condition?

• Kinetics

Optogenetics for single cell analysis 4

Differential DNA packaging

Huser, T. et al. Raman spectrometry of DNA packaging in individual human sperm cells distinguished normal from abnormal cells. J. Biophoton 2 (5), 2009

• DNA rich in proteamines• Evaluation of the strength of DNA protein

interaction

From DNA packaging to chromosomes?

Laser Tweezers+ Raman Spectroscopy

Ojeda, JF. et al. Chromosomal analysis and identification based on optical tweezers and Raman spectroscopy. Opt Express 2006,14 (12)

• Order and ratio of the DNA bases for different chromosomes are different

• As well as the specific associated proteins

Generalized discriminate analysis (GDA) of: Chromosome #1, black circles; # 2, red square; # 3, blue triangles

A Raman spectra of chromosomes isolated from 6 donors over 12 daysB Raman spectra from the chromosomes of a single individual over 6 days

More Applications• Behavior, olfactory and visual system, locomotion (NASA)

• Neural (Parkinson, epilepsy)

• Cardiac functions

Different Fields

Cells - C. elegans - Drosophila - Mice, rats…

• Microanalytical chemistry

• Forensic studies

• Circadian cycle (NASA)

• Microbiology

Questions?

Thank you