Single-cell imaging of ERK signaling using fluorescent biosensors

Abstract

Single-cell analysis of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) provides a means to perform highly detailed kinetic studies, assess heterogeneity between cells, and distinguish the subcellular localization of ERK activity. We describe here the methods needed to perform such measurements in a cell type of the investigator’s choosing. We discuss the selection of appropriate reporters and provide detailed methods for stably introducing reporters, collecting live-cell data, and automatically extracting quantitative information from individual cells.