Quantitative Super-Resolution Microscopy of the Mammalian Glycocalyx

Our Research / Publications

janelia7_blocks-janelia7_biblio_header | block

Developmental Cell. Jan-07-2019;50(1):57 - 72.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.04.035

Quantitative Super-Resolution Microscopy of the Mammalian Glycocalyx Pedram Lab

Möckl L, Pedram K, Roy AR, Krishnan V, Gustavsson A, Dorigo O, Bertozzi CR, Moerner W

Note: Research in this publication was not performed at Janelia.

janelia7_blocks-janelia7_biblio_abstract | block

Abstract

The mammalian glycocalyx is a heavily glycosylated extramembrane compartment found on nearly every cell. Despite its relevance in both health and disease, studies of the glycocalyx remain hampered by a paucity of methods to spatially classify its components. We combine metabolic labeling, bioorthogonal chemistry, and super-resolution localization microscopy to image two constituents of cell-surface glycans, N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and sialic acid, with 10–20 nm precision in 2D and 3D. This approach enables two measurements: glycocalyx height and the distribution of individual sugars distal from the membrane. These measurements show that the glycocalyx exhibits nanoscale organization on both cell lines and primary human tumor cells. Additionally, we observe enhanced glycocalyx height in response to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and to oncogenic KRAS activation. In the latter case, we trace increased height to an effector gene, GALNT7. These data highlight the power of advanced imaging methods to provide molecular and functional insights into glycocalyx biology.

node:body | entity_field

Main Menu (Mobile)- Block

Main Menu - Block

Quantitative Super-Resolution Microscopy of the Mammalian Glycocalyx

Note: Research in this publication was not performed at Janelia.

Abstract

Janelia Authors