Structural dynamics of nucleic acids by single-molecule FRET. 2013

Asger Christian Krüger, and Lasse Lava Hildebrandt, and Sofie Louise Kragh, and Victoria Birkedal
Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.

Single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) has emerged as a powerful technique to study biological processes at the molecular level. It provides detailed information on the structural dynamics of nucleic acids and proteins on the nanometer scale under a wide variety of conditions. Studying each molecule individually allows going beyond traditional ensemble averaging experiments. It permits to reveal the molecular conformational heterogeneity, to sort out molecules that have a defined conformation and to identify distinct dynamical events and relaxation pathways. This chapter outlines two protocols for performing smFRET measurements on immobilized nucleic acids using wide-field fluorescence microscopy. The first explains the steps needed for performing smFRET in static sample chambers, while the second describes the additional requirements for performing the measurements in a flow cell. Static smFRET measurements are easier to setup but are limited to one set of measurement conditions at a time; in contrast, flow measurements provide superior control of buffer conditions and the possibility to flow in ligands. Here, we provide detailed steps for DNA/RNA immobilization, sample chamber and buffer preparation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008856 Microscopy, Fluorescence Microscopy of specimens stained with fluorescent dye (usually fluorescein isothiocyanate) or of naturally fluorescent materials, which emit light when exposed to ultraviolet or blue light. Immunofluorescence microscopy utilizes antibodies that are labeled with fluorescent dye. Fluorescence Microscopy,Immunofluorescence Microscopy,Microscopy, Immunofluorescence,Fluorescence Microscopies,Immunofluorescence Microscopies,Microscopies, Fluorescence,Microscopies, Immunofluorescence
D009690 Nucleic Acid Conformation The spatial arrangement of the atoms of a nucleic acid or polynucleotide that results in its characteristic 3-dimensional shape. DNA Conformation,RNA Conformation,Conformation, DNA,Conformation, Nucleic Acid,Conformation, RNA,Conformations, DNA,Conformations, Nucleic Acid,Conformations, RNA,DNA Conformations,Nucleic Acid Conformations,RNA Conformations
D002021 Buffers A chemical system that functions to control the levels of specific ions in solution. When the level of hydrogen ion in solution is controlled the system is called a pH buffer. Buffer
D004247 DNA A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine). DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D005456 Fluorescent Dyes Chemicals that emit light after excitation by light. The wave length of the emitted light is usually longer than that of the incident light. Fluorochromes are substances that cause fluorescence in other substances, i.e., dyes used to mark or label other compounds with fluorescent tags. Flourescent Agent,Fluorescent Dye,Fluorescent Probe,Fluorescent Probes,Fluorochrome,Fluorochromes,Fluorogenic Substrates,Fluorescence Agents,Fluorescent Agents,Fluorogenic Substrate,Agents, Fluorescence,Agents, Fluorescent,Dyes, Fluorescent,Probes, Fluorescent,Substrates, Fluorogenic
D012313 RNA A polynucleotide consisting essentially of chains with a repeating backbone of phosphate and ribose units to which nitrogenous bases are attached. RNA is unique among biological macromolecules in that it can encode genetic information, serve as an abundant structural component of cells, and also possesses catalytic activity. (Rieger et al., Glossary of Genetics: Classical and Molecular, 5th ed) RNA, Non-Polyadenylated,Ribonucleic Acid,Gene Products, RNA,Non-Polyadenylated RNA,Acid, Ribonucleic,Non Polyadenylated RNA,RNA Gene Products,RNA, Non Polyadenylated
D012996 Solutions The homogeneous mixtures formed by the mixing of a solid, liquid, or gaseous substance (solute) with a liquid (the solvent), from which the dissolved substances can be recovered by physical processes. (From Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) Solution
D061925 Immobilized Nucleic Acids DNA or RNA bound to a substrate thereby having fixed positions. Immobilized DNA,Immobilized Oligonucleotides,Immobilized RNA,Acids, Immobilized Nucleic,DNA, Immobilized,Nucleic Acids, Immobilized,Oligonucleotides, Immobilized,RNA, Immobilized
D031541 Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer A type of FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY using two FLUORESCENT DYES with overlapping emission and absorption spectra, which is used to indicate proximity of labeled molecules. This technique is useful for studying interactions of molecules and PROTEIN FOLDING. Forster Resonance Energy Transfer

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