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In vivo Imaging

The dynamic real-time localization and translocation of molecules in living cells is an integral aspect of cellular function. Scientists are pioneering new applications for in vivo cellular and molecular imaging. These applications are based on genetic engineering advances and improved imaging technologies. In vivo imaging has become quantifiable, highly sensitive and amenable to high-throughput study design. The high sensitivity and utility of in vivo imaging, is exemplified by use of the Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) method, which quantitates enzyme activity, protein-protein interactions and second messenger dynamics. Optical in vivo imaging methods are being applied in pre-clinical research studies. Real time in vivo imaging studies in whole animals have been used to track cell-based therapies, and monitor response to chemotherapies (1). 

Fluorescence based recombinant systems are attractive molecular imaging tools because of their advantages for in vivo studies. Both bioluminescence reporters and fluorescence labeling systems offer relatively easy transition from in vitro, to living cells, tissues or small whole animal analysis (2). These protein labeling and reporter systems are non-invasive and allow direct analysis of cellular and molecular dynamics in real time. Some examples of bioluminescent reporters useful for in vivo imaging are enhanced GFP, FAP, Gaussia Luciferase (GLuc) and Cypridina Luciferase (Cluc). Protein labeling systems such as Tetra-Cys, SNAP-tag® and CLIP-tag™ can also be used for in vivo techniques. Imaging in living animals is currently best accomplished by PET reporters for scanning with short-lived radioactive tracers. Multimodality reporter gene systems have also been designed to permit in vivo imaging by multiple detection methods (3). For any fluorescence imaging application, fluorophore selection for native target activities and photostability should be confirmed in heterogeneous cellular environments.  

References

  1. Kircher, M.F.,Gambhir, S.S., Grimm, J. (2011) Nature Rev. Clinical Oncology, 8, 677-88. PMID: 21946842
  2. Keyaerts, M., Caveliers, V., and Lahoutte, T. (2012) Trends in Molecular Medicine. Epub 1-9. PMID: 22321645
  3. Ray, P. (2011)  J. Biosci. 36: 499–504. PMID: 21799261

SNAP-tag® is a registered trademark of New England Biolabs, Inc.


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    Publications related to In vivo Imaging
    • Reuter, W.H., Masuch, T., Ke, N., Lenon, M., Radzinski, M., Van Loi, V., Ren, G., Riggs, P., Antelmann, H., Reichmann, D., Leichert, L.I., Berkmen, M (2019) Utilizing redox-sensitive GFP fusions to detect in vivo redox changes in a genetically engineered prokaryote Redox Biol; 26, 101280. PubMedID: 31450103, DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101280
    • Maffei, M., Morelli, C., Graham, E., Patriarca, S., Donzelli, L., Doleschall, B., de Castro, Reis, F., Nocchi, L., Chadick, C.H., Reymond, L., Correa, I.R., Jr., Johnsson, K., Hackett, J.A., Heppenstall, P.A (2019) A ligand based system for receptor specific delivery of proteins Sci Rep; 9(1), 19214.. PubMedID: 31844114, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55797-1
    • Ke, N., Landgraf, D., Paulsson, J. and Berkmen, M. (2016) Visualization of Periplasmic and Cytoplasmic Proteins with a Self-Labeling Protein Tag. J Bacteriol; Jan 19;198(7), 1035-43. PubMedID: 26787765
Features
  • Clone and express once, then use with a variety of substrates
  • Non-toxic to living cells
  • Wide selection of fluorescent substrates
  • Highly specific covalent labeling
  • Simultaneous dual labeling
Applications
  • Simultaneous dual protein labeling inside live cells
  • Protein localization and translocation
  • Pulse-chase experiments
  • Receptor internalization studies
  • Selective cell surface labeling
  • Protein pull-down assays
  • Protein detection in SDS-PAGE
  • Flow cytometry
  • High throughput binding assays in microtiter plates
  • Biosensor interaction experiments
  • FRET-based binding assays
  • Single molecule labeling
  • Super-resolution microscopy
Protein labeling with SNAP-tag and CLIP-tag
The SNAP- (gold) or CLIP-tag (purple) is fused to the protein of interest (blue). Labeling occurs through covalent attachment to the tag, releasing either a guanine or a cytosine moiety.
Protein Labeling with ACP-tag
ACP-tag (red) fused to the protein of interest (blue) is labeled in the presence of a required synthase.
SNAP-tag®, CLIP-tag™ and ACP/MCP-tag Substrate Selection Chart
NEB offers a large selection of fluorescent labels (substrates) for SNAP-, CLIP-, ACP- and MCP-tag fusion proteins.
Legal Information

Products and content are covered by one or more patents, trademarks and/or copyrights owned or controlled by New England Biolabs, Inc (NEB). The use of trademark symbols does not necessarily indicate that the name is trademarked in the country where it is being read; it indicates where the content was originally developed. The use of this product may require the buyer to obtain additional third-party intellectual property rights for certain applications. For more information, please email busdev@neb.com.

This product is intended for research purposes only. This product is not intended to be used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes in humans or animals.