Uncovering operating principle of bio-molecular system by simultaneous observation of dynamics of multiple individual molecules

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26840057
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biophysics
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Ichimura Taro 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 生命システム研究センター, 研究員 (50600748)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 単分子イメージング / 生物物理

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Simultaneous nanometric tracking of multiple motor proteins was achieved by combining multicolor fluorescent labeling of target proteins and imaging spectroscopy, revealing dynamic behaviors of multiple motor proteins at the sub-diffraction-limit scale. Using quantum dot probes of distinct colors, we experimentally verified the localization precision to be a few nanometers at temporal resolution of 30 ms or faster. One-dimensional processive movement of two heads of a single myosin molecule and multiple myosin molecules was successfully traced. Furthermore, the system was modified for two-dimensional measurement and applied to tracking of multiple myosin molecules. Our approach is useful for investigating cooperative movement of proteins in supramolecular nanomachinery.

Free Research Field

分光計測、バイオイメージング