Analysis of signaling events by dynamic phosphoflow cytometry

Sci Signal. 2009 Sep 1;2(86):pl3. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.286pl3.

Abstract

Many proteins involved in cell signaling are phosphorylated. To determine the phosphorylation status of these signaling molecules at the single-cell level, we present a protocol for using state-specific antibodies to detect target phosphoproteins with fluorescence measurements by flow cytometry. To improve the signal intensity, a sandwich-labeling method for the analysis of signaling proteins is performed. By comparing the phosphorylation state of proteins in the presence and absence of sodium pervanadate, a nonspecific tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, we determined the relative amount of tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in the samples, which reflects the activity of the signaling pathway. This dynamic approach, in combination with the signal amplification through a sandwich-labeling method, produces accurate and reproducible measurement of the activity of signaling pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies
  • Calibration
  • Cell Survival
  • Flow Cytometry / methods*
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Mutation
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / genetics
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • U937 Cells
  • Vanadates / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Proteins
  • pervanadate
  • Vanadates
  • Protein Kinases
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase