High-Performance Fluorescent Probes for Live Cell Imaging & Cytoskeleton Research

Fluorescent and Labeled Actin

Tebubio through Cytoskeleton offers a premier selection of biotinylated and fluorescent actin proteins designed to meet the exacting standards of leading cell biologists and biophysicists. 

Use them to: 

• Recreate in vitro bio-membranes with biologically relevant accuracy
• Dissect the molecular mechanics of cytoskeletal force generation
• Model the dynamic architecture of the cell cortex
• Track free barbed ends to illuminate in vivo actin polymerization
• Probe actin-binding protein interactions with clarity and control
• Power next-gen applications in nanotechnology and bioengineering
• Follow in vitro actin polymerization under varied experimental conditions

Figure 1: A) Rhodamine actin filaments assembled in vitro (AR05); B) SDS-PAGE analysis of rhodamine labeled actin (AR05)

Fluorescent tubulin

Tebubio offers labeled and fluorescent tubulins with >99% purity and unmatched consistency, supporting cutting-edge research in microtubule dynamics, cell division, motility and more, ensuring reproducible results and high-impact discoveries.

Key benefits:

• Wide range of biotinylated and fluorescent tubulin options
• Individual lyophilized aliquots for extended shelf life and to minimize freeze/thaw cycles
• Stringent QC ensures batch-to-batch consistency for all labeled and fluorescent tubulins
• Custom labeling services available to meet your specific research needs

Use them:

• For kinesin motility assays
• For microtubule dynamics studies 
• To analyze effects of MAPs & drugs on microtubule dynamics 

Figure 2: A) Fluorescent microtubules made by polymerizing fluorescent HiLyte 647 (TL670M); B) SDS-PAGE analysis of fluorescent HiLyte 647 (TL670M)

Small GTPase activators & inhibitors

The G-Switch™ line provides a comprehensive portfolio of cell-permeable GTPase activators and inhibitors specifically designed to modulate GTPase signaling pathways in live cells.

The product line features highly selective Rho GTPase inhibitors and activators that act directly and irreversibly on endogenous GTPases.

Unlike traditional methods such as siRNA knockdown or overexpression of mutant constructs like Rho Q63L, these reagents offer a more precise and efficient means of manipulating GTPase activity

Figure 3: A) F-Actin stained RHO Activator II (CN03) treated cells; B) Activation of Rhoa in cell treated with RHO Activator I (CN03)

Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins

ECM proteins are the structural and biochemical components that surround cells in tissues. They work as structural support, mechanical strength, signaling cues guiding cell growth, movement and differentiation and they regulate cell behavior. Among different ECM proteins, Tebubio is offering ready-to-use, reliable, and research-proven purified and derivatized laminin and fibronectin protein, delivering dependable performance and reproducibility across diverse experimental systems.

Use them:

• To visualize fluorescent fibronectin incorporation, remodeling, and degradation in live-cell imaging studies of cell/ECM interactions
• For FACS analysis of fibronectin-binding cells
• For Cell invasion assays
• For Mechanobiology and tissue engineering research

Use them:

• To visualize and quantify of cell-ECM interactions in live cells
• For basement membrane and ECM visualization
• For neurite outgrowth and axon guidance studies

Live Cell Membrane Markers

The MemGlow™ family of probes offer a new solution for staining phospholipid membranes and consists of 5 fluorogenic cyanine-based plasma membrane probes with a wide spectral range that includes near-infrared (Abs.max 499-689 nm, Em.max 506-713).

The MemGlow™ probes possess many of the desirable characteristics of their original carbocyanine or BODIPY parent dyes, while exhibiting greater efficiency than competing labeling products in some applications. 

MemGlow™ Fluorogenic Membrane Probe Key advantages:

• They are fluorogenic, ready for bioimaging
• Not dependent upon homogeneous expression of surface carbohydrates
• Compatible with co-labeling requiring permeabilization.
• Highly specific for plasma membranes when applied to fixed cells.
• Efficient labeling of plasma membrane of live neurons without the use of transgenic cell lines, transgenic animals, or transfection steps
• Highly specific for the plasma membrane and are not rapidly endocytosed

Figure 4: Live HeLa Cells labeled with MemGlow™ probes. MemGlow™ 590 is compatible with STORM; MemGlow™ 560, 590, 640, and 700 probes are compatible two-photon excitation (TPE) microscopy.

Figure 5: A) 3D reconstruction of cells stained with MemGlow 488™ and imaged with laser scanning confocal microscopy. Live KB cells stained with 50 nM MemGlow™ 488 for 5 minutes and imaged without washing. Intercellular filopodia and nanotubes are visible between cells (white arrows). Image false-colored to orange. B) The plasma membrane of live KB cells labeled with 20 nM MemGlow™ 488 and imaged with laser scanning confocal microscopy. Intercellular filopodia and nanotubes are visible between cells throughout (white arrows). 

The MemGlow™ line of environmentally sensitive membrane polarity probes offer a simple way to examine the links between cellular processes and membrane dynamics.

MemGlow™ Membrane Polarity Probe Key advantages:

• Environmentally sensitive solvatochromic fluorescent probes – emission changes depending on the polarity (ordered vs disordered) of the surrounding membrane providing a reliable readout of local membrane polarity.
• Engineered for highly selective plasma membrane outer leaflet staining- minimizes probe internalization.
  Red and blue spectra emitting probes – compatible with multicolor imaging
• Exceptional signal-to-noise ratios
• Validated in multiple microscopy techniques, including widefield, SR-PAINT, confocal, 2-photon, TIRF (see probe-specific information).
• Compatible with live cell, fixed cell, fixed tissue, and extracellular vesicle (EV) labeling (see probe-specific information).

Figure 6: MemGlow™ NR12A Membrane Polarity Probe – lipid order-dependend emission

Figure 7: KB and HeLa cells labeled with MemGlow™ NR12A (MG07).
A) A 3D stacked image of KB cells stained with 20 nM MG07 (false-colored orange). B) Widefield fluorescent imaging of live HeLa S1 cells labeled with 10 nM MG07. HeLa S1 cells were imaged with a TRITC filter set, neutral density filter, a digital CCD camera, and 100x oil objective (false colored red).

• References

  
  Article content created by Tebubio using courtesy materials provided by Cytoskeleton.