Stimulated-emission-depletion microscopy with a multicolor stimulated-Raman-scattering light source

We describe a subdiffraction-resolution far-field fluorescence microscope employing stimulated emission depletion (STED) with a light source consisting of a microchip laser coupled into a standard single-mode fiber, which, via stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), yields a comb-like spectrum of seven discrete peaks extending from the fundamental wavelength at 532 nm to 620 nm. Each of the spectral peaks can be used as STED light for overcoming the diffraction barrier. This SRS light source enables the simple implementation of multicolor STED and provides a spectral output with multiple available wavelengths from green to red with potential for further expansion.

Nanoscale organization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors revealed by stimulated emission depletion microscopy

Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) supramolecular aggregates that have hitherto only been accessible to examination by electron microscopy were imaged with stimulated emission depletion (STED) fluorescence microscopy, providing resolution beyond limits of diffraction of classical wide-field or confocal microscopes. We examined a Chinese hamster ovary cell liner CHO-K1/A5, that stably expresses adult murine AChR. Whereas confocal microscopy displays AChR clusters as diffraction-limited dots of approximately 200 nm diameter, STED microscopy yields nanoclusters with a peak size distribution of approximately 55 nm. Utilizing this resolution, we show that cholesterol depletion by acute (30 min, 37 degrees C) exposure to methyl-beta-cyclodextrin alters the short and long range organization of AChR nanoclusters on the cell surface. In the short range, AChRs form larger nanoclusters, possibly related to the alteration of cholesterol-dependent protein-protein associations. Ripley's K-test on STED images reveals changes in nanocluster distribution on larger scales (0.5-3.5 microm), which possibly are related to the abolition of cytoskeletal physical barriers preventing the lateral diffusion of AChR nanoclusters.

Nanoscale resolution in GFP-based microscopy

We report attainment of subdiffraction resolution using stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy with GFP-labeled samples. The approximately 70 nm lateral resolution attained in this study is demonstrated by imaging GFP-labeled viruses and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of a mammalian cell. Our results mark the advent of nanoscale biological microscopy with genetically encoded markers.

Bruchpilot promotes active zone assembly, Ca2+ channel clustering, and vesicle release

The molecular organization of presynaptic active zones during calcium influx-triggered neurotransmitter release is the focus of intense investigation. The Drosophila coiled-coil domain protein Bruchpilot (BRP) was observed in donut-shaped structures centered at active zones of neuromuscular synapses by using subdiffraction resolution STED (stimulated emission depletion) fluorescence microscopy. At brp mutant active zones, electron-dense projections (T-bars) were entirely lost, Ca2+ channels were reduced in density, evoked vesicle release was depressed, and short-term plasticity was altered. BRP-like proteins seem to establish proximity between Ca2+ channels and vesicles to allow efficient transmitter release and patterned synaptic plasticity.