Fluorescence imaging detection of nanodomain redox signaling events at organellar contacts

Summary

This protocol describes how to visualize, detect, and analyze redox signals (oxidative bursts) at the ER-mitochondrial interface. It uses drug-inducible crosslinking to target the genetically encoded glutathione redox sensor Grx1roGFP2 to organellar contact sites to measure local redox changes associated with transient depolarizations of the mitochondrial membrane potential (flickers). The strategy allows imaging of the oxidized to reduced glutathione ratio (GSSG:GSH) in subcellular regions below the diffraction limit with good temporal resolution and minimum phototoxicity. Moreover, the strategy also applies to diverse parameters including pH, H ₂O ₂, and Ca ²⁺.

For complete details on the use and execution of this profile, please refer to Booth et al. (2016) and Booth et al. (2021).

Graphical abstract

Highlights

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  Stepwise protocol for the use of interorganelle linkers to measure redox nanodomains

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  Guidelines for the simultaneous imaging of mitochondrial flickers

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  Measurement normalization strategies to determine redox kinetics

Abstract

This protocol describes how to visualize, detect, and analyze redox signals (oxidative bursts) at the ER-mitochondrial interface. It uses drug-inducible crosslinking to target the genetically encoded glutathione redox sensor Grx1roGFP2 to organellar contact sites to measure local redox changes associated with transient depolarizations of the mitochondrial membrane potential (flickers). The strategy allows imaging of the oxidized to reduced glutathione ratio (GSSG:GSH) in subcellular regions below the diffraction limit with good temporal resolution and minimum phototoxicity. Moreover, the strategy also applies to diverse parameters including pH, H ₂O ₂, and Ca ²⁺.