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Dual-mode imaging of copper transporter 1 in HepG2 cells by hyphenating confocal laser scanning microscopy with laser ablation ICPMS

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Abstract

Copper transporter 1 (CTR1) is a transport protein involved in copper and cisplatin uptake. The visualization of cellular CTR1 migration and its redistribution is highly important in copper/cisplatin exposure/transport. However, to the best of our knowledge, this is a highly challenging task. Herein, a dual-mode imaging strategy for CTR1 is developed by hyphenating confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) with a fluorescent/elemental bifunctional tag conjugated with anti-CTR1 antibody. The tag consists of rhodamine B and zirconium metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOF) for CLSM fluorescence imaging and LA-ICPMS element imaging for a same group of HepG2 cells in a designated visual zone. This dual-mode imaging strategy facilitates visualization of CTR1 migration and meanwhile provides information of CTR1 redistribution in HepG2 cells by uptake of divalent copper or cisplatin. The present dual-mode imaging strategy provides in-depth information for the elucidation of CTR1 involved biological processes.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks are due to the instrumental analysis from Analytical and Testing Center, Northeastern University.

Funding

This work received financial supports from the Natural Science Foundation of China (21675019, 21922402, 21874014, 21727811) and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (N2005003, N2005027).

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Author notes

  1. Qi-Xuan Sun and Xing Wei contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, Liaoning, China

    Qi-Xuan Sun, Xing Wei, Shang-Qing Zhang, Ming-Li Chen, Ting Yang, Yong-Liang Yu & Jian-Hua Wang

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  1. Qi-Xuan Sun
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Correspondence to Ming-Li Chen or Jian-Hua Wang.

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Sun, QX., Wei, X., Zhang, SQ. et al. Dual-mode imaging of copper transporter 1 in HepG2 cells by hyphenating confocal laser scanning microscopy with laser ablation ICPMS. Anal Bioanal Chem 413, 1353–1361 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-020-03097-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-020-03097-3

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