Cellular proteins are typically imaged using organic fluorophores, which average the location of multiple different proteins in the cell. These fluorophores are too dim to easily image single proteins, making it difficult to study protein function. Quantum dots (QDs) are small nanocrystal nanoparticles that exhibit excellent fluorescence and photostability. Quantum dots offer a promising alternative to organic fluorophores due to their increased fluorescence and photostability compared to typical fluorophores. Due to their intensely fluorescent properties, QDs can used for single molecule imaging within cells. In particular single 5-HT1B receptors can be visualized using QD-antibody conjugates. The protein 5-HT1B is a cellular serotonin receptor on the cell membrane. Serotonin has been implicated in mood disorders such as depression. We employ a hydrazone conjugation of QDs with an α-HA antibody in order to visualize single 5-HT1B receptors with in N2a (rat neuroblastoma) cells. Visualization of the 5-HT1B receptors allowed for determination of trafficking behavior with the cell.

Highly specific quantum dot bioconjugates for single molecule imaging

249th National Meeting (2015)

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