- A DNA-based molecular probe for optically reporting cellular traction forces.
A DNA-based molecular probe for optically reporting cellular traction forces.
Nature methods (2014-10-13)
Brandon L Blakely, Christoph E Dumelin, Britta Trappmann, Lynn M McGregor, Colin K Choi, Peter C Anthony, Van K Duesterberg, Brendon M Baker, Steven M Block, David R Liu, Christopher S Chen
PMID25306545
ABSTRACT
We developed molecular tension probes (TPs) that report traction forces of adherent cells with high spatial resolution, can in principle be linked to virtually any surface, and obviate monitoring deformations of elastic substrates. TPs consist of DNA hairpins conjugated to fluorophore-quencher pairs that unfold and fluoresce when subjected to specific forces. We applied TPs to reveal that cellular traction forces are heterogeneous within focal adhesions and localized at their distal edges.
MATERIALS
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Product Description
Sigma-Aldrich
8-Octanoyloxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid trisodium salt, suitable for fluorescence, ≥90% (HPCE)
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5-Carboxyfluorescein N-succinimidyl ester, BioReagent, suitable for fluorescence, ≥90% (HPLC)
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Ethanol, purum, secunda spirit, denaturated with 2% 2-butanone, S15, ~96% (based on denaturant-free substance)
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Phenol solution, BioReagent, Equilibrated with 10 mM Tris HCl, pH 8.0, 1 mM EDTA, for molecular biology
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Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solution, 0.02% in DPBS (0.5 mM), sterile-filtered, BioReagent, suitable for cell culture
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Phenol solution, BioReagent, Saturated with 0.01 M citrate buffer, pH 4.3 ± 0.2, for molecular biology
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Formamide solution, NMR reference standard, 90% in DMSO-d6 (99.9 atom % D), NMR tube size 10 mm × 8 in.