Toolkit/fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy

fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy

Assay Method·Research·Since 2012

Also known as: FRET-FLIM

Taxonomy: Technique Branch / Method. Workflows sit above the mechanism and technique branches rather than replacing them.

Summary

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FRET-FLIM) is an assay method that combines fluorescence resonance energy transfer with fluorescence lifetime imaging to detect molecular proximity in living cells. In the cited Arabidopsis study, it was used to support a physical interaction between CRY2 and SPA1 in nuclei.

Usefulness & Problems

Why this is useful

This assay is useful for testing whether two labeled biomolecules are in close proximity in living cells, using fluorescence lifetime changes as the readout. The supplied evidence specifically supports its use for assessing nuclear interaction between Arabidopsis CRY2 and SPA1.

Problem solved

FRET-FLIM helps address the problem of determining whether proteins are physically associated in a cellular context rather than only inferred from genetics. In the cited work, it contributed evidence relevant to whether CRY2 and SPA1 interact in nuclei.

Problem links

Live Cell Imaging at Deep Nanoscale Resolution is Destructive

Gap mapView gap

FRET-FLIM is an actionable live-cell imaging assay that can extract information from fluorescence lifetime rather than only intensity, which can sometimes support gentler readouts. However, the provided summary does not connect it to deep imaging, nanoscale resolution, or lower destructiveness.

Taxonomy & Function

Primary hierarchy

Technique Branch

Method: A concrete measurement method used to characterize an engineered system.

Target processes

No target processes tagged yet.

Implementation Constraints

cofactor dependency: cofactor requirement unknownencoding mode: genetically encodedimplementation constraint: context specific validationoperating role: sensor

The available evidence indicates use in living cells and specifically in nuclei in an Arabidopsis study. No further implementation details, such as construct design, fluorophore pairs, instrumentation, or analysis pipeline, are provided in the supplied material.

The provided evidence is sparse and does not report donor-acceptor fluorophores, lifetime shifts, controls, sensitivity, or false-positive/false-negative behavior. It also does not establish whether the observed proximity reflects direct binding versus colocalization within a complex.

Validation

Cell-freeBacteriaMammalianMouseHumanTherapeuticIndep. Replication

Supporting Sources

Ranked Claims

Claim 1genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

phyA influences cry2 stability because a phyA mutant has enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light.

a phyA mutant had enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light
Claim 2genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

phyA influences cry2 stability because a phyA mutant has enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light.

a phyA mutant had enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light
Claim 3genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

phyA influences cry2 stability because a phyA mutant has enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light.

a phyA mutant had enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light
Claim 4genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

phyA influences cry2 stability because a phyA mutant has enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light.

a phyA mutant had enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light
Claim 5genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

phyA influences cry2 stability because a phyA mutant has enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light.

a phyA mutant had enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light
Claim 6genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

phyA influences cry2 stability because a phyA mutant has enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light.

a phyA mutant had enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light
Claim 7genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

phyA influences cry2 stability because a phyA mutant has enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light.

a phyA mutant had enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light
Claim 8genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

phyA influences cry2 stability because a phyA mutant has enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light.

a phyA mutant had enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light
Claim 9genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

phyA influences cry2 stability because a phyA mutant has enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light.

a phyA mutant had enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light
Claim 10genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

phyA influences cry2 stability because a phyA mutant has enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light.

a phyA mutant had enhanced cry2 levels, particularly under low fluence rate blue light
Claim 11genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

SPA proteins contribute to cry2 degradation because cry2 degradation under continuous blue light is alleviated in spa mutants in a fluence rate-dependent manner.

In all spa mutants analyzed, cry2 degradation under continuous blue light was alleviated in a fluence rate-dependent manner.
Claim 12genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

SPA proteins contribute to cry2 degradation because cry2 degradation under continuous blue light is alleviated in spa mutants in a fluence rate-dependent manner.

In all spa mutants analyzed, cry2 degradation under continuous blue light was alleviated in a fluence rate-dependent manner.
Claim 13genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

SPA proteins contribute to cry2 degradation because cry2 degradation under continuous blue light is alleviated in spa mutants in a fluence rate-dependent manner.

In all spa mutants analyzed, cry2 degradation under continuous blue light was alleviated in a fluence rate-dependent manner.
Claim 14genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

SPA proteins contribute to cry2 degradation because cry2 degradation under continuous blue light is alleviated in spa mutants in a fluence rate-dependent manner.

In all spa mutants analyzed, cry2 degradation under continuous blue light was alleviated in a fluence rate-dependent manner.
Claim 15genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

SPA proteins contribute to cry2 degradation because cry2 degradation under continuous blue light is alleviated in spa mutants in a fluence rate-dependent manner.

In all spa mutants analyzed, cry2 degradation under continuous blue light was alleviated in a fluence rate-dependent manner.
Claim 16genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

SPA proteins contribute to cry2 degradation because cry2 degradation under continuous blue light is alleviated in spa mutants in a fluence rate-dependent manner.

In all spa mutants analyzed, cry2 degradation under continuous blue light was alleviated in a fluence rate-dependent manner.
Claim 17genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

SPA proteins contribute to cry2 degradation because cry2 degradation under continuous blue light is alleviated in spa mutants in a fluence rate-dependent manner.

In all spa mutants analyzed, cry2 degradation under continuous blue light was alleviated in a fluence rate-dependent manner.
Claim 18genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

SPA proteins contribute to cry2 degradation because cry2 degradation under continuous blue light is alleviated in spa mutants in a fluence rate-dependent manner.

In all spa mutants analyzed, cry2 degradation under continuous blue light was alleviated in a fluence rate-dependent manner.
Claim 19genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

SPA proteins contribute to cry2 degradation because cry2 degradation under continuous blue light is alleviated in spa mutants in a fluence rate-dependent manner.

In all spa mutants analyzed, cry2 degradation under continuous blue light was alleviated in a fluence rate-dependent manner.
Claim 20genetic regulationsupports2012Source 1needs review

SPA proteins contribute to cry2 degradation because cry2 degradation under continuous blue light is alleviated in spa mutants in a fluence rate-dependent manner.

In all spa mutants analyzed, cry2 degradation under continuous blue light was alleviated in a fluence rate-dependent manner.
Claim 21overall conclusionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA.

Our results suggest that cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA
Claim 22overall conclusionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA.

Our results suggest that cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA
Claim 23overall conclusionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA.

Our results suggest that cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA
Claim 24overall conclusionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA.

Our results suggest that cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA
Claim 25overall conclusionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA.

Our results suggest that cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA
Claim 26overall conclusionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA.

Our results suggest that cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA
Claim 27overall conclusionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA.

Our results suggest that cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA
Claim 28overall conclusionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA.

Our results suggest that cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA
Claim 29overall conclusionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA.

Our results suggest that cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA
Claim 30overall conclusionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA.

Our results suggest that cry2 stability is controlled by SPA and phyA
Claim 31physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 32physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 33physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 34physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 35physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 36physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 37physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 38physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 39physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 40physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 41physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 42physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 43physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 44physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 45physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 46physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 47physical interactionsupports2012Source 1needs review

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.
Claim 48protein degradation processsupports2012Source 1needs review

In etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to blue light, cry2 protein level strongly decreases and cry2 is phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

The cry2 protein level strongly decreases when etiolated seedlings are exposed to blue light; cry2 is first phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.
Claim 49protein degradation processsupports2012Source 1needs review

In etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to blue light, cry2 protein level strongly decreases and cry2 is phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

The cry2 protein level strongly decreases when etiolated seedlings are exposed to blue light; cry2 is first phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.
Claim 50protein degradation processsupports2012Source 1needs review

In etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to blue light, cry2 protein level strongly decreases and cry2 is phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

The cry2 protein level strongly decreases when etiolated seedlings are exposed to blue light; cry2 is first phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.
Claim 51protein degradation processsupports2012Source 1needs review

In etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to blue light, cry2 protein level strongly decreases and cry2 is phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

The cry2 protein level strongly decreases when etiolated seedlings are exposed to blue light; cry2 is first phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.
Claim 52protein degradation processsupports2012Source 1needs review

In etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to blue light, cry2 protein level strongly decreases and cry2 is phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

The cry2 protein level strongly decreases when etiolated seedlings are exposed to blue light; cry2 is first phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.
Claim 53protein degradation processsupports2012Source 1needs review

In etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to blue light, cry2 protein level strongly decreases and cry2 is phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

The cry2 protein level strongly decreases when etiolated seedlings are exposed to blue light; cry2 is first phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.
Claim 54protein degradation processsupports2012Source 1needs review

In etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to blue light, cry2 protein level strongly decreases and cry2 is phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

The cry2 protein level strongly decreases when etiolated seedlings are exposed to blue light; cry2 is first phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.
Claim 55protein degradation processsupports2012Source 1needs review

In etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to blue light, cry2 protein level strongly decreases and cry2 is phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

The cry2 protein level strongly decreases when etiolated seedlings are exposed to blue light; cry2 is first phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.
Claim 56protein degradation processsupports2012Source 1needs review

In etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to blue light, cry2 protein level strongly decreases and cry2 is phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

The cry2 protein level strongly decreases when etiolated seedlings are exposed to blue light; cry2 is first phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.
Claim 57protein degradation processsupports2012Source 1needs review

In etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to blue light, cry2 protein level strongly decreases and cry2 is phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

The cry2 protein level strongly decreases when etiolated seedlings are exposed to blue light; cry2 is first phosphorylated, polyubiquitinated, and then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

Approval Evidence

1 source1 linked approval claimfirst-pass slug fluorescence-resonance-energy-transfer-fluorescence-lifetime-imaging-microscopy
Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies

Source:

physical interactionsupports

cry2 physically interacts with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies showed a robust physical interaction of cry2 with SPA1 in nuclei of living cells.

Source:

Comparisons

Source-backed strengths

The method is described as a living-cell assay for molecular proximity and was applied in Arabidopsis nuclei. The supplied evidence supports its use as interaction-supporting evidence for CRY2-SPA1, but does not provide quantitative performance metrics.

fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and Field-domain rapid-scan EPR at 240 GHz address a similar problem space.

Shared frame: same top-level item type

fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and native green gel system address a similar problem space.

Shared frame: same top-level item type

Strengths here: looks easier to implement in practice.

Compared with TR-FRET assay

fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and TR-FRET assay address a similar problem space.

Shared frame: same top-level item type; shared mechanisms: fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Ranked Citations

  1. 1.
    StructuralSource 1The Plant Cell2012Claim 7Claim 10Claim 10

    Extracted from this source document.