Ligand-bound quantum dots for intracellular imaging of neural receptors

Tania Q. Vu; Sujata Sundara Rajan; Hongyan Liu

doi:10.1117/12.724220

27 February 2007 Ligand-bound quantum dots for intracellular imaging of neural receptors

Tania Q. Vu, Sujata Sundara Rajan, Hongyan Liu

Proceedings Volume 6448, Colloidal Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications II; 644813 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.724220
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2007, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) may serve as improved platforms for the complex modulation and ultra-sensitive imaging of molecular signaling in cells. The time course and spatial localization of activated ligand-receptor complexes and their trafficking within cells is becoming increasingly understood as vital for propagating cell signals. However, the movement and fate of ligand-receptor pairs inside cells is difficult to define with current technologies. We have studied the intracellular trafficking of TrkA receptors using QDs conjugated with nerve growth factor, a neuropeptide ligand critical for nervous system development and regulation. We find that NGF-QDs bind and activate TrkA surface receptors in PC12 neurons. Spatiotemporal maps of TrkA-NGF-QD endocytosis and translocation can be directly visualized with single QD resolution. Moreover, single molecule tracking experiments indicates that QDs complexes are actively shuttled over long distances within newly-sprouted neuronal processes. These results indicate that QDs can serve as effective high-resolution probe to track ligand-receptor function in the interior of cells.

Citation Download Citation

Tania Q. Vu, Sujata Sundara Rajan, and Hongyan Liu "Ligand-bound quantum dots for intracellular imaging of neural receptors", Proc. SPIE 6448, Colloidal Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications II, 644813 (27 February 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.724220

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