Yeast Vacuole Staining with FM4-64

Abstract

The lipophilic probe, FM 4-64 does not fluoresce much in water but fluoresces strongly after binding to the outer plasma membrane, providing clear and distinguishable plasma membrane staining. The binding is rapid and reversible. In this protocol vacuoles in yeast cells are stained with the FM4-64 dye, permitting the use of live-cell imaging if needed.