Using confocal laser-scanning microscope & GFP fusion proteins in time-lapse imaging to visualize the behavior of organelles and to track membrane-bound transport intermediates that bud off from organelles. Practical issues related to construction & expression of GFP fusion proteins are discussed. Essential for optimizing the brightness and expression levels of GFP fusion proteins so that intracellular membrane-bound structures containing these fusion proteins can be readily visualized. - [Read Imaging of Organelle Membrane Systems and Membrane Traffic in Living Cells]
Several common drugs, their targets, and protocols are described for studying organelle distribution and trafficking. The drugs are readily available from general suppliers, including Sigma, Roche, and Calbiochem. - [Read Membrane Trafficking and Organelle Reagents]
Recombinant proteins, constructed in pGEX vectors, are fused to glutathione S-transferase (GST) and can be purified to near homogeneity by affinity chromatography on glutathione-agarose. Bound GST-fusion proteins are readily displaced from the column by elution with buffers containing free glutathione. - [Read Purification of Fusion Proteins by Affinity Chromatography on Glutathione Agarose Protocol]