Skip to Content

CN

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

Propylamine, ≥99%

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetic acid-¹²C₂, 99.9 atom % ¹²C

Sigma-Aldrich

Methanol, NMR reference standard

Sigma-Aldrich

DL-Dithiothreitol solution, BioUltra, for molecular biology, ~1 M in H₂O

Supelco

Methanol, analytical standard

Sigma-Aldrich

Magnesium chloride solution, BioUltra, for molecular biology, ~1 M in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

Magnesium chloride solution, BioUltra, for molecular biology, 2 M in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

Propylamine, 98%

Sigma-Aldrich

Formamide, BioUltra, for molecular biology, ≥99.5% (T)

Sigma-Aldrich

Urea solution, BioUltra, ~8 M in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

Urea-¹²C, 99.9 atom % ¹²C

Sigma-Aldrich

1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane, 98%

Sigma-Aldrich

Formamide, ACS reagent, ≥99.5%

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetic acid, natural, ≥99.5%, FG

Supelco

Acetic acid, analytical standard

Sigma-Aldrich

1,1,2,2-Tetrabromoethane, purum p.a., for separation (of mineral compounds), ≥98.0% (GC)

Sigma-Aldrich

Magnesium chloride solution, BioUltra, for molecular biology, ~0.025 M in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

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

Sigma-Aldrich

Propylamine, purum, ≥99.0% (GC)

Sigma-Aldrich

Methanol, anhydrous, 99.8%

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetic acid, ≥99.5%, FCC, FG

Sigma-Aldrich

(−)-Riboflavin, meets USP testing specifications

Sigma-Aldrich

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

Sigma-Aldrich

Urea solution, 40 % (w/v) in H₂O

Sigma-Aldrich

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

Sigma-Aldrich

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

Sigma-Aldrich

Formamide, BioReagent, ≥99.5% (GC), for molecular biology

Sigma-Aldrich

Magnesium chloride solution, for molecular biology, 1.00 M±0.01 M

Sigma-Aldrich

Hydrocortisone, meets USP testing specifications

Sigma-Aldrich

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