Probing microtubule-dependent intracellular motility with nanometre particle video ultramicroscopy (nanovid ultramicroscopy).

Colloidal gold particles of 20 to 40 nm diameter stabilized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) were microinjected in PTK2 cells. Aggregates and individual particles, which are smaller than the theoretical limit of resolution of the optical microscope and invisible to the eye are discernible from organelles by reflection of polarized light. They are optimally visualized using transmitted light and electronic subtraction of diffuse background light. The gold particles show saltatory motion. The direction, speed, median distance travelled and frequency of saltations are indiscernible from measurements made on cell organelles in the same preparations. Because microtubule treadmilling has been implicated as a potential motor for organelle motility, gold particles coupled to monoclonal antibodies, recognizing the alpha-subunit of tubulin (Kilmartin et al., 1982), were injected. These particles, often forming linear arrays, assumed entirely fixed positions in the cell. The results suggest that there is a transport system associated with microtubules which can carry synthetic particles through the cell without the need for them being covered with specific proteins. Microtubule treadmilling does not seem to be involved. The possibility of following 20-40 nm particles and probably even smaller ones, that can be coupled to most proteins, within living cells provides a tool of wide applicability to study the fate and behaviour of such proteins. It is suggested that this new method be called nanoparticle video ultramicroscopy or nanovid ultramicroscopy.