Skip to main content

Imaging Translation Dynamics of Single mRNA Molecules in Live Cells

  • Protocol
RNA Detection

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1649))

Abstract

mRNA translation is a key step in decoding the genetic information stored in DNA. Regulation of translation efficiency contributes to gene expression control and is therefore important for cell fate and function. Here, we describe a recently developed microscopy-based method that allows for visualization of translation of single mRNAs in live cells. The ability to measure translation dynamics of single mRNAs will enable a better understanding of spatiotemporal control of translation, and will provide unique insights into translational heterogeneity of different mRNA molecules in single cells.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Protocol
USD 49.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Morisaki T, Lyon K, DeLuca KF, DeLuca JG, English BP, Zhang Z, Lavis LD, Grimm JB, Viswanathan S, Looger LL, Lionnet T, Stasevich TJ (2016) Real-time quantification of single RNA translation dynamics in living cells. Science (New York, NY) 352(6292):1425–1429. doi:10.1126/science.aaf0899

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Pichon X, Bastide A, Safieddine A, Chouaib R, Samacoits A, Basyuk E, Peter M, Mueller F, Bertrand E (2016) Visualization of single endogenous polysomes reveals the dynamics of translation in live human cells. J Cell Biol 214(6):769–781. doi:10.1083/jcb.201605024

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Wang C, Han B, Zhou R, Zhuang X (2016) Real-time imaging of translation on single mRNA transcripts in live cells. Cell 165(4):990–1001. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2016.04.040

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Wu B, Eliscovich C, Yoon YJ, Singer RH (2016) Translation dynamics of single mRNAs in live cells and neurons. Science (New York, NY) 352(6292):1430–1435. doi:10.1126/science.aaf1084

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Yan X, Hoek TA, Vale RD, Tanenbaum ME (2016) Dynamics of translation of single mRNA molecules in vivo. Cell 165(4):976–989. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2016.04.034

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Tanenbaum ME, Gilbert LA, Qi LS, Weissman JS, Vale RD (2014) A protein-tagging system for signal amplification in gene expression and fluorescence imaging. Cell 159(3):635–646. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2014.09.039

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Bertrand E, Chartrand P, Schaefer M, Shenoy SM, Singer RH, Long RM (1998) Localization of ASH1 mRNA particles in living yeast. Mol Cell 2(4):437–445

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Chao JA, Patskovsky Y, Almo SC, Singer RH (2008) Structural basis for the coevolution of a viral RNA-protein complex. Nat Struct Mol Biol 15(1):103–105. doi:10.1038/nsmb1327

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Pedelacq JD, Cabantous S, Tran T, Terwilliger TC, Waldo GS (2006) Engineering and characterization of a superfolder green fluorescent protein. Nat Biotechnol 24(1):79–88. doi:10.1038/nbt1172

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This work was supported by a by a fellowship of the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) to M.E.T. and a Veni grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) to S.R.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marvin E. Tanenbaum .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Science+Business Media LLC

About this protocol

Cite this protocol

Ruijtenberg, S., Hoek, T.A., Yan, X., Tanenbaum, M.E. (2018). Imaging Translation Dynamics of Single mRNA Molecules in Live Cells. In: Gaspar, I. (eds) RNA Detection. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1649. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7213-5_26

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7213-5_26

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7212-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7213-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

Publish with us

Policies and ethics