Use of cytofluorometry to evaluate binding of antibodies to the cytoskeleton of cultured cells

Abstract

Immunocytochemistry is routinely used to examine the occurrence and distribution of cytoskeletal proteins in cells, but the results are usually evaluated visually and subjectively. Little use has been made of the potential the method offers for quantitative work. Here we report on application of cytofluorometry to quantify binding of antibodies to the cytoskeleton of U-251 MG human malignant glioma cells in culture. The results show that cytofluorometry is a simple and reliable procedure for: (a) determining the optimal concentrations of primary and secondary antibodies and other labeling reagents; (b) evaluating the binding specificity of commercial secondary antisera; and (c) evaluating the effect of different preparatory procedures on preservation of and binding of antibodies to cytoskeletal structures. Experiments with a monoclonal antibody to tubulin show that preservation of tubulin is very sensitive to the preparatory procedures used. Maximum labeling of tubulin in intact cells was obtained when the cells were pre-fixed with formaldehyde before permeabilization with solvent. Maximum labeling of tubulin in Triton-extracted cytoskeletons was achieved by pre-fixing the cells with the bifunctional protein crosslinking reagent dithiobis (succinimidyl propionate), extracting with Triton in a microtubule-stabilizing buffer, and post-fixing with formaldehyde. GTP was not required to preserve tubulin in cytoskeletons.