Single-molecule analysis has proven to be a powerful technology to analyze intracellular …

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Visualizing single molecules in living cells
• Single-molecule visualization of the dimerization processes of EGFR
• Single-molecule detection of the activation of EGFR
• Recognition between activated EGFR and Grb2
• Conclusion
• References
• Figures

Biology Articles » Methods & Techniques » Optical Bioimaging: From Living Tissue to a Single Molecule: Single-Molecule Visualization of Cell Signaling Processes of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor » Conclusion

Conclusion

- Optical Bioimaging: From Living Tissue to a Single Molecule: Single-Molecule Visualization of Cell Signaling Processes of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

Development of single-molecule techniques in living cells has allowed the visualization of the location and movements of molecules and the counting of these molecules. Reactions and activation of cell signaling molecules were detected. The single-molecule technique is being applied to the analysis of the early signal transduction processes of EGF. The results are revealing that EGF signaling depends on dynamic organization of membrane receptors. The dynamics of EGFR are likely to be indispensable for highly sensitive calcium response of EGF-stimulated cells. Kinetic parameters of proteinprotein recognition, which has been difficult to assess using conventional biochemistry, can be obtained using the single-molecule technique. Thus, the single-molecule technique will be useful for studying the molecular mechanisms regulating signal transduction processes.

Acknowledgments

We thank Toshio Yanagida and members of his laboratories for their useful advice and daily discussions.