Probing the role of the actin cytoskeleton during regulated exocytosis by intravital microscopy

Methods Mol Biol. 2014:1174:407-21. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0944-5_28.

Abstract

The actin cytoskeleton plays a fundamental role in controlling several steps during regulated exocytosis. Here, we describe a combination of procedures that are aimed at studying the dynamics and the mechanism of the actin cytoskeleton in the salivary glands of live rodents, a model for exocrine secretion. Our approach relies on intravital microscopy, an imaging technique that enables imaging biological events in live animals at a subcellular resolution, and it is complemented by the use of pharmacological agents and indirect immunofluorescence in the salivary tissue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Exocytosis / drug effects
  • Exocytosis / physiology*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microscopy / methods*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Salivary Glands / cytology
  • Salivary Glands / drug effects
  • Salivary Glands / metabolism
  • Secretory Vesicles / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins