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

Sigma-Aldrich

Methanol, HPLC Plus, ≥99.9%, poly-coated bottles

Millipore

Urea solution, suitable for microbiology, 40% in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

Magnesium chloride solution, 0.1 M

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetic acid-¹²C₂, 99.9 atom % ¹²C

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetonitrile solution, contains 0.05 % (v/v) trifluoroacetic acid

Supelco

Hydrocortisone, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

Supelco

Riboflavin, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

Supelco

Dehydrated Alcohol, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

Sigma-Aldrich

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

Sigma-Aldrich

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

Supelco

Acetonitrile(Neat), Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

Hydrocortisone, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard

USP

Dehydrated Alcohol, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard

Sigma-Aldrich

Propylamine, 98%

Sigma-Aldrich

Argon, ≥99.998%

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetic acid, natural, ≥99.5%, FG

Sigma-Aldrich

Propylamine, ≥99%

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetic acid, ≥99.5%, FCC, FG

Sigma-Aldrich

Formamide, ACS reagent, ≥99.5%

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

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

Sigma-Aldrich

Propylamine, purum, ≥99.0% (GC)

Sigma-Aldrich

Methanol, anhydrous, 99.8%

Sigma-Aldrich

Magnesium chloride solution, BioUltra, Molecular Biology, 2 M in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

Magnesium chloride solution, BioUltra, Molecular Biology, ~0.025 M in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetic acid, suitable for luminescence, BioUltra, ≥99.5% (GC)

Sigma-Aldrich

(−)-Riboflavin, BioReagent, suitable for cell culture, suitable for insect cell culture, ≥98%

Sigma-Aldrich

Urea-¹²C, 99.9 atom % ¹²C

Sigma-Aldrich

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