Combination of patch clamp and Raman spectroscopy for single-cell analysis

Anal Chem. 2011 Jan 1;83(1):344-50. doi: 10.1021/ac1024667. Epub 2010 Dec 8.

Abstract

In this contribution we present the combination of patch clamp with Raman spectroscopy for a label-free quantitative detection of intracellular components. Patch clamp is used to gain controlled access to the cytosol and internalize water-soluble compounds into the cell. The presence and concentration of these substances inside the living mammalian cell are probed by means of Raman spectroscopy in a label-free manner. A proof of principle was given using the carotinoid crocin as a sample compound that does not show specific interaction with the cell. When the intracellular crocin concentration as determined from the Raman spectra was monitored, the kinetics of internalization/diffusion into the cell could be characterized by a single-exponential function. Furthermore, the technique was successfully applied to observe differences in the internalization of free and protein-bound heme into the living cell. Although the peptide-capped microperoxidase MP-11 did not show specific interactions, free heme accumulated in the cell by binding to cellular components.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carotenoids / metabolism
  • Cell Survival
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hemin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques / methods*
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman / methods*

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Carotenoids
  • Hemin
  • crocin