Application of GFP technique for cytoskeleton visualization onboard the International Space Station

Cytoskeleton recently attracted wide attention of cell and molecular biologists due to its crucial role in gravity sensing and trunsduction. Most of cytoskeletal research is conducted by the means of immunohistochemical reactions, different modifications of which are beneficial for the ground-based...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta astronautica 2005-03, Vol.56 (6), p.613-621
Main Authors: Kordyum, E.L., Shevchenko, G.V., Yemets, A.I., Nyporko, A.I., Blume, Ya.B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actin Cytoskeleton - metabolism
Actin Cytoskeleton - ultrastructure
Animals
Cnidaria
Cytoskeleton - physiology
Cytoskeleton - ultrastructure
Fluorescence
Gravity Sensing - physiology
Green Fluorescent Proteins - genetics
Luminescent Measurements
Luminescent Proteins - genetics
Microtubules - metabolism
Microtubules - ultrastructure
Plant Root Cap - ultrastructure
Plants, Genetically Modified - ultrastructure
Recombinant Fusion Proteins - metabolism
Space Flight
Space life sciences
Weightlessness
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Summary:Cytoskeleton recently attracted wide attention of cell and molecular biologists due to its crucial role in gravity sensing and trunsduction. Most of cytoskeletal research is conducted by the means of immunohistochemical reactions, different modifications of which are beneficial for the ground-based experiments. But for the performance onboard the space vehicles, they represent quite complicated technique which requires time and special skills for astronauts. In addition, immunocytochemistry provides only static images of the cytoskeleton arrangement in fixed cells while its localization in living cells is needed for the better understanding of cytoskeletal function. In this connection, we propose a new approach for cytoskeletal visualization onboard the ISS, namely, application of green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria, which has the unique properties as a marker for protein localization in vivo. The creation of chimerical protein–GFP gene constructs, obtaining the transformed plant cells possessed protein–GFP in their cytoskeletal composition will allow receiving a simple and efficient model for screening of the cytoskeleton functional status in microgravity.
ISSN:0094-5765
1879-2030
DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2004.10.006