Super-resolution imaging and tracking of protein-protein interactions in sub-diffraction cellular space

Nat Commun. 2014 Jul 17:5:4443. doi: 10.1038/ncomms5443.

Abstract

Imaging the location and dynamics of individual interacting protein pairs is essential but often difficult because of the fluorescent background from other paired and non-paired molecules, particularly in the sub-diffraction cellular space. Here we develop a new method combining bimolecular fluorescence complementation and photoactivated localization microscopy for super-resolution imaging and single-molecule tracking of specific protein-protein interactions. The method is used to study the interaction of two abundant proteins, MreB and EF-Tu, in Escherichia coli cells. The super-resolution imaging shows interesting distribution and domain sizes of interacting MreB-EF-Tu pairs as a subpopulation of total EF-Tu. The single-molecule tracking of MreB, EF-Tu and MreB-EF-Tu pairs reveals intriguing localization-dependent heterogonous dynamics and provides valuable insights to understanding the roles of MreB-EF-Tu interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Wall / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Peptide Elongation Factor Tu / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • MreB protein, E coli
  • Peptide Elongation Factor Tu