This paper proposes a simple, effective, non-scanning method for the visualization of a cell-attached nanointerface. The method uses localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excited homogeneously on a two-dimensional (2D) self-assembled gold-nanoparticle sheet. The LSPR of the gold-nanoparticle sheet provides high-contrast interfacial images due to the confined light within a region a few tens of nanometers from the particles and the enhancement of fluorescence. Test experiments on rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells with fluorescence-labeled actin filaments revealed high axial and lateral resolution even under a regular epifluorescence microscope, which produced higher quality images than those captured under a total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscope. This non-scanning-type, high-resolution imaging method will be an effective tool for monitoring interfacial phenomena that exhibit relatively rapid reaction kinetics in various cellular and molecular dynamics.
A method of obtaining highly confined, enhanced surface fluorescence imaging is proposed using two-dimensional (2D) silver nanoparticle (AgMy) sheets. This technique is based on the localized surface plasmon resonance excited homogeneously on a 2D silver nanoparticle sheet. The AgMy sheets are fabricated at the air–water interface by self-assembly and transferred onto hydrophobic glass substrates. These sheets can enhance the fluorescence only when the excitation wavelength overlaps with the plasmon resonance wavelength. To confirm the validity of this technique, two separate test experiments are performed. One is the epifluorescence microscope imaging of a quantum dot 2D sheet on the AgMy 2D sheet with a SiO2 spacer layer, where the fluorescence is maximized with the 20 nm SiO2 layer, determined by the Förster resonance energy transfer distances. The second experiment is the imaging of a single fluorescence bead with a total internal reflection fluorescent microscope. We confirmed that the AgMy sheet provides a 4-fold increase in fluorescence with a 160-nm spatial resolution at 30 ms/frame snapshot. The AgMy sheet will be a powerful tool for high sensitivity and high-resolution real time bioimaging at nanointerfaces.
An improved unroofing method enabled the cantilever of an atomic force microscope (AFM) to reach directly into a cell to visualize the intracellular cytoskeletal actin filaments, microtubules, clathrin coats, and caveolae in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at a higher resolution than conventional electron microscopy. All of the actin filaments clearly exhibited a short periodicity of approximately 5–6 nm, which was derived from globular actins linked to each other to form filaments, as well as a long helical periodicity. The polarity of the actin filaments appeared to be determined by the shape of the periodic striations. Microtubules were identified based on their thickness. Clathrin coats and caveolae were observed on the cytoplasmic surface of cell membranes. The area containing clathrin molecules and their terminal domains was directly visualized. Characteristic ridge structures located at the surface of the caveolae were observed at high resolution, similar to those observed with electron microscopy (EM). Overall, unroofing allowed intracellular AFM imaging in a liquid environment with a level of quality equivalent or superior to that of EM. Thus, AFMs are anticipated to provide cutting-edge findings in cell biology and histology.
Background: ATP synthase (F 0 F 1 ) is a rotary motor enzyme. Results: F 1 with a short-sized helix-1 in  subunit rotates with half of the normal torque and supports reduced ATP synthesis activity. Conclusion: Helix-1 acts as a "pushrod" to generate torque, and torque-reduced F 0 F 1 retains the catalytic ability of ATP synthesis. Significance: Generation and utilization of the torque are crucial for motor enzymes.
We propose an idea for improving the angular sensitivity of Kretschmann-type surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors through the use of high-refractive-index silver nanoparticle (AgNP) sheets on metal substrates. According to Fresnel simulations, the angular sensitivity will be improved threefold by using the multilayered AgNP coating on gold or silver substrates. We confirmed the validity of this method by a model measurement with a SiO2 sputtered film, which has a refractive index similar to that of organic or biological molecules. This simple technique will contribute to realizing a high-sensitivity SPR sensor, especially for the detection of small molecules.
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