Visualization of Single Dynein Molecules in Mammalian Cells

Abstract

In vitro single-molecule imaging experiments have provided insight into the stepping behavior, force production, and activation of several molecular motors. However, due to the difficulty in visualizing single molecules of motor proteins in vivo, the physiological function and regulation of motors at the single-molecule level have not been studied widely. Here, we describe how highly inclined and laminated optical sheet (HILO) microscopy can be adapted to visualize single molecules of the motor protein cytoplasmic dynein-1 in mammalian cells with high signal-to-noise ratio and temporal resolution.