Analysis of protein and lipid dynamics using confocal fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP).

Analysis of protein and lipid dynamics using confocal fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Curr Protoc Cytom. 2012 Oct;Chapter 2:Unit2.19 Authors: Day CA, Kraft LJ, Kang M, Kenworthy AK Abstract Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a powerful, versatile, and widely accessible tool to monitor molecular dynamics in living cells that can be performed using modern confocal microscopes. Although the basic principles of FRAP are simple, quantitative FRAP analysis requires careful experimental design, data collection, and analysis. In this unit, we discuss the theoretical basis for confocal FRAP, followed by step-by-step protocols for FRAP data acquisition using a laser-scanning confocal microscope for (1) measuring the diffusion of a membrane protein, (2) measuring the diffusion of a soluble protein, and (3) analysis of intracellular trafficking. Finally, data analysis procedures are discussed, and an equation for determining the diffusion coefficient of a molecular species undergoing pure diffusion is presented. PMID: 23042527 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Source: Current Protocols in Cytometry - Category: Molecular Biology Tags: Curr Protoc Cytom Source Type: research