Grey Fox Lung Cells with mEmerald-Fascin
Cell membrane protrusions are highlighted in this selection of digital video sequences with mEmerald fused to the actin-bundling protein fascin. Fascin localizes to lamellipodia, filopodia, membrane ruffles, stress fibers, and other cellular projections. The development of membrane protrusions in which fascin is predominantly present is a morphological characteristic common to cells expressing high levels of fascin. Expression of fascin results in drastic changes in the actin cytoskeleton, morphology, and cell motility. For example, fascin-transfected cells form thicker and longer microvilli on apical surfaces, extend lamellipodia-like structures at basolateral surfaces, and display disorganization of cell-to-cell contacts. The featured fox lung cells (FoLu line) are expressing mEmerald fused to fascin.
As its name suggests, mEmerald exhibits a green hue similar to that of the gemstone for which it was named. The fluorescent protein is a variant of EGFP, an improved Aequorea derivative. In addition to the same mutations found in EGFP, mEmerald features four additional point mutations. Excitation and emission maxima of mEmerald occur at 487 and 509 nanometers, respectively.