Candace L. Minchew

Fluorescent probes detecting the phagocytic phase of apoptosis: enzyme-substrate complexes of topoisomerase and DNA.

In apoptosis, the initial self-driven suicide phase generates cellular corpses which are digested in the phagolysosomes of professional and amateur phagocytes during the subsequent waste-management phase. This ensures the complete elimination of the genetic material which often contains pathological, viral or cancerous DNA sequences. Although the phagocytic phase is critical for the efficient execution of apoptosis, there are currently few methods specifically adapted for its detailed visualization in the fixed tissue section format. To resolve this we developed new fluorescent probes for in situ research. The probes selectively visualize active phagocytic cells of any lineage (professional, amateur phagocytes or surrounding tissue cells) which engulf and digest apoptotic cell DNA. These fluorescent probes are the covalently-bound enzyme-DNA intermediates produced in a topoisomerase reaction with specific “starting” oligonucleotides. They detect a specific marker of DNase II cleavage activity, which occurs exclusively in phagolysosomes of the cells that engulfed apoptotic nuclei. The probes provide snap-shot images of the digestion process occurring in cellular organelles responsible for the actual execution of phagocytic degradation of apoptotic cell corpses. We applied the probes for visualization of the phagocytic reaction in tissue sections of normal thymus and in several human lymphomas. We also discuss the nature, stability and properties of DNase II-type breaks as a marker of phagocytic activity. This development provides a useful fluorescent tool for studies of pathologies where clearance of dying cells is essential, such as cancers, inflammation, infection and auto-immune disorders.

Nanoblinker: Brownian Motion Powered Bio-Nanomachine for FRET Detection of Phagocytic Phase of Apoptosis

We describe a new type of bio-nanomachine which runs on thermal noise. The machine is solely powered by the random motion of water molecules in its environment and does not ever require re-fuelling. The construct, which is made of DNA and vaccinia virus topoisomerase protein, can detect DNA damage by employing fluorescence. It uses Brownian motion as a cyclic motor to continually separate and bring together two types of fluorescent hairpins participating in FRET. This bio-molecular oscillator is a fast and specific sensor of 5′OH double-strand DNA breaks present in phagocytic phase of apoptosis. The detection takes 30 s in solution and 3 min in cell suspensions. The phagocytic phase is critical for the effective execution of apoptosis as it ensures complete degradation of the dying cells’ DNA, preventing release of pathological, viral and tumor DNA and self-immunization. The construct can be used as a smart FRET probe in studies of cell death and phagocytosis.

Assessing Phagocytic Clearance of Cell Death in Experimental Stroke by Ligatable Fluorescent Probes

We describe a new histochemical approach for visualization of phagocytic clearance in focal brain ischemia. The approach permits the study of elimination of dead cells in stroke by waste-management phagocytes of any cellular lineage. Although numerous cells of different origins that are capable of phagocytosis are present in ischemic brain, only part of them actively engulf and digest cell corpses. The selective visualization, quantification and analysis of such active phagocytic waste-management are helpful in assessing brain response to ischemia. Efficient cell death clearance is important for brain recovery from ischemic injury, as it opens the way for the subsequent regenerative processes. The failure to clean the corpses would result in a toxic reaction caused by non-degraded DNA and proteins. The described procedure uses fluorescent probes selectively ligated by a viral topoisomerase to characteristic DNA breaks produced in all phagocytes during engulfment and digestion of cells irreversibly damaged by ischemia. The method is a new tool for the investigation of brain reaction to ischemic injury.

Dual Detection of Nucleolytic and Proteolytic Markers of Lysosomal Cell Death: DNase II-Type Breaks and Cathepsin D

Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that can degrade proteins and DNA. Leakage of these reactive compounds through a compromised lysosomal membrane causes lysosomal cell death, which can have apoptotic, necrotic, or mixed morphology. Lysosomal cathepsin proteases, such as cathepsin D, and the lysosomal endonuclease, DNase II, have both been implicated in lysosome-related cell death. Here, we present a fluorescence dual-labeling technique for simultaneous visualization of these two markers of lysosomal activity linked to cell death. The approach labels the intracellular distribution of cathepsin D and the sites with DNase II-type breaks in fixed tissue sections. It determines the lysosomal or extra-lysosomal localization of the markers and can be useful in studying pathways and signals of lysosomal cell death.

Selective Transport of Cationized Fluorescent Topoisomerase into Nuclei of Live Cells for DNA Damage Studies

The targeted delivery of fluorescently labeled, DNA-modifying proteins into cellular nuclei permits investigation of DNA damage and chromatin function in living cells. Commercially available protein delivery vectors cannot provide selective intranuclear transportation and primarily unload their cargo in the cytoplasm. Here we describe a simple approach for specific intranuclear transportation of vaccinia topoisomerase protein based on its cationization. The delivered protein can be observed and monitored by fluorescence microscopy. The technique is cost-efficient and time-saving. It can be useful in live cell studies.