Skip to Content

A DNA-based molecular probe for optically reporting cellular traction forces.

A DNA-based molecular probe for optically reporting cellular traction forces.

Nature methods (2014-10-13)

Brandon L Blakely, Christoph E Dumelin, Britta Trappmann, Lynn M McGregor, Colin K Choi, Peter C Anthony, Van K Duesterberg, Brendon M Baker, Steven M Block, David R Liu, Christopher S Chen

ABSTRACT

We developed molecular tension probes (TPs) that report traction forces of adherent cells with high spatial resolution, can in principle be linked to virtually any surface, and obviate monitoring deformations of elastic substrates. TPs consist of DNA hairpins conjugated to fluorophore-quencher pairs that unfold and fluoresce when subjected to specific forces. We applied TPs to reveal that cellular traction forces are heterogeneous within focal adhesions and localized at their distal edges.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

Supelco

Riboflavin, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

Supelco

Dehydrated Alcohol, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

Supelco

Hydrocortisone, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

Supelco

DL-Dithiothreitol solution, 1 M in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

Magnesium chloride solution, 0.1 M

Millipore

Urea solution, suitable for microbiology, 40% in H₂O

Riboflavin, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetic acid-¹²C₂, 99.9 atom % ¹²C

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetonitrile solution, contains 0.1 % (v/v) trifluoroacetic acid, suitable for HPLC

Sigma-Aldrich

Propylamine, ≥99%

Hydrocortisone, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard

Supelco

Propylamine, analytical standard

USP

Riboflavin, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard

USP

Hydrocortisone, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard

Supelco

Methanol, analytical standard

Sigma-Aldrich

Propylamine, purum, ≥99.0% (GC)

Sigma-Aldrich

Formamide, BioUltra, Molecular Biology, ≥99.5% (T)

Sigma-Aldrich

Magnesium chloride solution, BioUltra, Molecular Biology, ~1 M in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

DL-Dithiothreitol solution, BioUltra, Molecular Biology, ~1 M in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

Magnesium chloride solution, Molecular Biology, 1.00 M±0.01 M

Sigma-Aldrich

Ethanol Fixative 80% v/v, suitable for fixing solution (blood films)

Sigma-Aldrich

(−)-Riboflavin, from Eremothecium ashbyii, ≥98%

Sigma-Aldrich

L-Thyroxine sodium salt pentahydrate, ≥98% (HPLC), powder

Sigma-Aldrich

L-Thyroxine sodium salt pentahydrate, γ-irradiated, powder, BioXtra, suitable for cell culture

Sigma-Aldrich

Urea solution, 40 % (w/v) in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

Magnesium chloride solution, PCR Reagent, 25 mM MgCI₂solution for PCR

Supelco

Ethanol standards 10% (v/v), 10 % (v/v) in H₂O, analytical standard

Sigma-Aldrich

(−)-Riboflavin, meets USP testing specifications

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetic acid, natural, ≥99.5%, FG

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetic acid, ≥99.5%, FCC, FG