Characterization of a NaV1.4 Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis Mutation in Domain I

Abstract

As mRNA conveys genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, its export rate changes under DNA manipulation and further affects hence protein translation. In live cells, the rate of a specific kind of mRNA imply the cells' future growth tendency or even differentiation direction on molecular level. Due to its easy degradation, the gross of mRNA was usually semiquantified from the extracts of a large amount of cells by using techniques like RT-PCR. However, monitoring a specific mRNA rate requires singlelive-cell synchronous quantification. Therefore, in this study, we developed an intravital fluorescent detectable system for the export of mRNA through nuclear pore complexes (NPC) with laser scan confocal microscopy. By adapting a mRNA motion model and NPC active transportation model to the fluorescence images, tagged mRNA transport rate was calculated for each single live cell. With this method, it would help us to better understand the regulation of gene expression and even to visualize cells' differentiation direction.