Sera of camelids contain both conventional heterotetrameric antibodies and unique functional heavy (H)-chain antibodies (HCAbs). The H chain of these homodimeric antibodies consists of one antigen-binding domain, the VHH, and two constant domains. HCAbs fail to incorporate light (L) chains owing to the deletion of the first constant domain and a reshaped surface at the VHH side, which normally associates with L chains in conventional antibodies. The genetic elements composing HCAbs have been identified, but the in vivo generation of these antibodies from their dedicated genes into antigen-specific and affinity-matured bona fide antibodies remains largely underinvestigated. However, the facile identification of antigen-specific VHHs and their beneficial biochemical and economic properties (size, affinity, specificity, stability, production cost) supported by multiple crystal structures have encouraged antibody engineering of these single-domain antibodies for use as a research tool and in biotechnology and medicine.

Nanobodies: Natural Single-Domain Antibodies

Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool for biological research, but obtaining multiplexed images for a large number of distinct target species remains challenging. Here we use the transient binding of short fluorescently labeled oligonucleotides (DNA-PAINT, a variation of point accumulation for imaging in nanoscale topography) for simple and easy-to-implement multiplexed super-resolution imaging that achieves sub-10-nm spatial resolution in vitro on synthetic DNA structures. We also report a multiplexing approach (Exchange-PAINT) that allows sequential imaging of multiple targets using only a single dye and a single laser source. We experimentally demonstrate ten-color super-resolution imaging in vitro on synthetic DNA structures as well as four-color two-dimensional (2D) imaging and three-color 3D imaging of proteins in fixed cells.

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Multiplexed 3D cellular super-resolution imaging with DNA-PAINT and Exchange-PAINT

Fluorescence nanoscopy uniquely combines minimally invasive optical access to the internal nanoscale structure and dynamics of cells and tissues with molecular detection specificity. While the basic physical principles of 'super-resolution' imaging were discovered in the 1990s, with initial experimental demonstrations following in 2000, the broad application of super-resolution imaging to address cell-biological questions has only more recently emerged. Nanoscopy approaches have begun to facilitate discoveries in cell biology and to add new knowledge. One current direction for method improvement is the ambition to quantitatively account for each molecule under investigation and assess true molecular colocalization patterns via multi-colour analyses. In pursuing this goal, the labelling of individual molecules to enable their visualization has emerged as a central challenge. Extending nanoscale imaging into (sliced) tissue and whole-animal contexts is a further goal. In this Review we describe the successes to date and discuss current obstacles and possibilities for further development.

Fluorescence nanoscopy in cell biology

Super-resolution microscopy (SRM) bypasses the diffraction limit, a physical barrier that restricts the optical resolution to roughly 250 nm and was previously thought to be impenetrable. SRM techniques allow the visualization of subcellular organization with unprecedented detail, but also confront biologists with the challenge of selecting the best-suited approach for their particular research question. Here, we provide guidance on how to use SRM techniques advantageously for investigating cellular structures and dynamics to promote new discoveries.

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Super-resolution microscopy demystified

Super-resolution techniques have begun to transform biological and biomedical research by allowing researchers to observe structures well below the classic diffraction limit of light DNA points accumulation for imaging in nanoscale topography (DNA-PAINT) offers an easy-to-implement approach to localization-based super-resolution microscopy, owing to the use of DNA probes In DNA-PAINT, transient binding of short dye-labeled ('imager') oligonucleotides to their complementary target ('docking') strands creates the necessary 'blinking' to enable stochastic super-resolution microscopy Using the programmability and specificity of DNA molecules as imaging and labeling probes allows researchers to decouple blinking from dye photophysics, alleviating limitations of current super-resolution techniques, making them compatible with virtually any single-molecule-compatible dye Recent developments in DNA-PAINT have enabled spectrally unlimited multiplexing, precise molecule counting and ultra-high, molecular-scale (sub-5-nm) spatial resolution, reaching ∼1-nm localization precision DNA-PAINT can be applied to a multitude of in vitro and cellular applications by linking docking strands to antibodies Here, we present a protocol for the key aspects of the DNA-PAINT framework for both novice and expert users This protocol describes the creation of DNA origami test samples, in situ sample preparation, multiplexed data acquisition, data simulation, super-resolution image reconstruction and post-processing such as drift correction, molecule counting (qPAINT) and particle averaging Moreover, we provide an integrated software package, named Picasso, for the computational steps involved The protocol is designed to be modular, so that individual components can be chosen and implemented per requirements of a specific application The procedure can be completed in 1-2 d

Super-resolution microscopy with DNA-PAINT

We developed a method to use any GFP-tagged construct in single-molecule super-resolution microscopy By targeting GFP with small, high-affinity antibodies coupled to organic dyes, we achieved nanometer spatial resolution and minimal linkage error when analyzing microtubules, living neurons and yeast cells We show that in combination with libraries encoding GFP-tagged proteins, virtually any known protein can immediately be used in super-resolution microscopy and that simplified labeling schemes allow high-throughput super-resolution imaging

A simple, versatile method for GFP-based super-resolution microscopy via nanobodies

Single-molecule localization-based superresolution microscopy methods allow the resolution of cellular structures in the range of tens of nanometers. However, these techniques are of limited use in current yeast labeling protocols, owing to problems with structural preservation. Here we describe an optimized sample preparation protocol that enables single-molecule localization microscopy at high resolution combined with improved structural preservation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The protocol uses small binders called nanobodies and an enzymatic labeling strategy to deliver organic dyes to the target protein. These small binders readily penetrate through the yeast cell wall and thus eliminate the requirement for its prior degradation, and they allow structural preservation. In addition, the small size of the binders reduces the distance of the dye to the target protein, and thus it reduces the localization error. The preparation of S. cerevisiae cells for superresolution imaging takes 2-4 h to perform. Researchers should have skills in yeast molecular biology, immunolabeling techniques and access to a microscope equipped for single-molecule imaging.

Optimized sample preparation for single-molecule localization-based superresolution microscopy in yeast

We resolved the organization of subunits in cytoskeletal polymers in cells by light microscopy. Septin GTPases form linear complexes of about 32 nm length that polymerize into filaments. We visualized both termini of septin complexes by single molecule microscopy in vitro. Complexes appeared as 32 nm spaced localization pairs, and filaments appeared as stretches of equidistant localizations. Cellular septins were resolved as localization pairs and thin stretches of equidistant localizations.

Absolute Arrangement of Subunits in Cytoskeletal Septin Filaments in Cells Measured by Fluorescence Microscopy

Conventional light and fluorescence microscopy techniques have offered tremendous insight into cellular processes and structures. Their resolution is however intrinsically limited by diffraction. Superresolution techniques achieve an order of magnitude higher resolution. Among these, localization microscopy relies on the position determination of single emitters with nanometer accuracy, which allows the subsequent reconstruction of an image of the target structure. In this chapter, we provide general guidelines for localization microscopy with a focus on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Its different cellular architecture complicates efforts to directly transfer protocols established in mammalian cells to yeast. We compare different methodologies to label structures of interest and provide protocols for the respective sample preparation, which are not limited to yeast. Using these guidelines, nanoscopic subcellular structures in yeast can be investigated by localization microscopy, which perfectly complements live-cell fluorescence and electron microscopy.

Localization microscopy in yeast.

Septins are cytoskeletal GTPases present in nonpolar heteromeric complexes that assemble in a palindromic fashion from two to eight subunits. Mammalian septins function in several fundamental cellular processes at the membrane-cytoskeleton interface including dendritic branching in neurons. Sequence homology divides the 13 mammalian septin genes into four homology groups. Experimental findings suggest that septin function is redundant among septins from one homology group. This is best understood for the isoforms of the SEPT2 group, which form a homodimer at the center of septin complexes. In vitro, all SEPT2-group septins form recombinant hexameric complexes with two copies of SEPT6 and SEPT7. However, it remains unclear to what extent homologous septins can substitute for each other in specific cellular processes. Here, we use the experimental paradigm of dendritic branching in hippocampal rat neurons to ask, to what extent septins of the SEPT2-group are functionally redundant. Dendritic branching is significantly reduced when SEPT5 is downregulated. In neurons expressing SEPT5-shRNA, simultaneously expressed SEPT2-GFP and SEPT4-GFP colocalize with SEPT7 at dendritic spine necks and rescue dendritic branching. In contrast, SEPT1-GFP is diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm in SEPT5 downregulated neurons and cannot rescue dendritic branching. Our findings provide a basis for the study of septin-specific functions in cells.

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Charlotte Kaplan

Papers

A simple, versatile method for GFP-based super-resolution microscopy via nanobodies

Optimized sample preparation for single-molecule localization-based superresolution microscopy in yeast

Absolute Arrangement of Subunits in Cytoskeletal Septin Filaments in Cells Measured by Fluorescence Microscopy

Localization microscopy in yeast.

Functional Redundancy of Septin Homologs in Dendritic Branching.