Endocytic Organelles: Methods for Preparation and Analysis

Mariana Eca Guimaraes de Araujo, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
Irene Fialka, INiTS Universitäres Gründerservice Wien GmbH, Vienna, Austria
Lukas A Huber, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria

Published online: December 2010

DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0002591.pub2

Endocytic organelles can be prepared using a variety of techniques. Methods include the homogenisation of cells, the isolation of endosomes by density centrifugation, electromigratory techniques, immunoisolation and fluorescence-activated organelle sorting (FAOS). The integration of these biochemical techniques with large-scale proteomics has lead to the rapid expansion of the organelle proteomes characterised. Unfortunately, several limitations have been uncovered. First, the isolation of pure endosomal compartments is rarely achieved. Second, the constant flux of proteins from and to a specific organelle leads to variations in proteome composition that are often time- and signalling-dependent. Innovative approaches such as protein correlation profiling (PCP) and localisation of organelles by isotype tagging (LOPIT) may, in the near future, bring us closer to our aim: the generation of a detailed and reliable organelle proteome chart that accounts for time- and signalling-dependent fluxes as well as variations in the posttranslational modifications (PTMs) observed.

Key Concepts:

  • The quality of subcellular organelle purification depends to a great extent on the homogenisation procedure.
  • Upon homogenisation, several methods can be employed to enrich the organelle of choice (density centrifugation, electromigratory techniques, immunoisolation and FAOS).
  • Subcellular organelle proteomes have been uncovered by the powerful combination of cell biology/biochemistry techniques with large-scale proteomics.
  • Innovative methodologies are being established to overcome some of the caveats observed on the initial organelle proteome studies.
  • Future organelle proteome studies will focus on the dynamics of protein association with organelles (time and signalling specificity). They will also focus on posttranslational modifications and their direct impact on protein function.

Keywords: subcellular fractionation; endocytosis; endosomes; membrane transport; cellular uptake; organelle proteomics

Figure 1. Step gradient tube after ultracentrifugation. Organelles appear at distinct interfaces as milky bands. Reproduced from de Araújo and Huber (2007), with permission from Springer.
Figure 2. Overview of available methods to characterise an organelle proteome. Examples of biochemical and proteomics methods used in organelle proteomics. Single organelle flow analysis (SOFA), fluorescence-activated organelle sorting (FAOS), free flow electrophoresis (FFE), high resolution gradient electrophoresis (DGE), one-dimensional gel electrophoresis (1D), isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ), liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), fluorescence two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), protein correlation profiling (PCP) and localisation of organelle proteins by isotope tagging (LOPIT).
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Cell Compartments and Cellular Organelles | Techniques in Cell Biology
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Article Title: Endocytic Organelles: Methods for Preparation and Analysis
 
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Guimaraes de Araujo, Mariana Eca, Fialka, Irene, and Huber, Lukas A(Dec 2010) Endocytic Organelles: Methods for Preparation and Analysis. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0002591.pub2]