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Expansion microscopy (ExM) enables super-resolution fluorescence imaging of physically expanded biological samples with conventional microscopes. By combining ExM with single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) it is potentially possible to approach the resolution of electron microscopy. However, current attempts to combine both methods remained challenging because of protein and fluorophore loss during digestion or denaturation, gelation, and the incompatibility of expanded polyelectrolyte hydrogels with photoswitching buffers. Here we show that re-embedding of expanded hydrogels enables d STORM imaging of expanded samples and demonstrate that post-labeling ExM resolves the current limitations of super-resolution microscopy. Using microtubules as a reference structure and centrioles, we demonstrate that post-labeling Ex-SMLM preserves ultrastructural details, improves the labeling efficiency and reduces the positional error arising from linking fluorophores into the gel thus paving the way for super-resolution imaging of immunolabeled endogenous proteins with true molecular resolution. Previous attempts to combine expansion microscopy (ExM) and single molecule localisation microscopy (SMLM) have proved challenging. Here the authors show that post-labelling Ex-SMLM improves labelling efficiency, reduces linkage error, and preserves ultrastructural details.

Super-resolution microscopies have become an established tool in biological research. However, imaging throughput remains a main bottleneck in acquiring large datasets required for quantitative biology. Here we describe multifocal flat illumination for field-independent imaging (mfFIFI). By integrating mfFIFI into an instant structured illumination microscope (iSIM), we extend the field of view (FOV) to >100 × 100 µm 2 while maintaining high-speed, multicolor, volumetric imaging at double the diffraction-limited resolution. We further extend the effective FOV by stitching adjacent images for fast live-cell super-resolution imaging of dozens of cells. Finally, we combine our flat-fielded iSIM with ultrastructure expansion microscopy to collect three-dimensional (3D) images of hundreds of centrioles in human cells, or thousands of purified Chlamydomonas reinhardtii centrioles, per hour at an effective resolution of ~35 nm. Classification and particle averaging of these large datasets enables 3D mapping of posttranslational modifications of centriolar microtubules, revealing differences in their coverage and positioning. Multifocal flat illumination for field-independent imaging (mfFIFI) enables patterned illumination over an extended field of view. Integration with instant structured illumination microscope allowed for high-speed, multicolor, volumetric super-resolution imaging over 100 × 100 µm 2 .

Aneuploidy is associated with a variety of diseases such as cancer and microcephaly. Although many studies have addressed the consequences of a non-euploid genome in cells, little is known about their overall consequences in tissue and organism development. Here we use two different mutant conditions to address the consequences of aneuploidy during tissue development and homeostasis in Drosophila . We show that aneuploidy causes brain size reduction due to a decrease in the number of proliferative neural stem cells (NSCs), but not through apoptosis. Instead, aneuploid NSCs present an extended G1 phase, which leads to cell cycle exit and premature differentiation. Moreover, we show that this response to aneuploidy is also present in adult intestinal stem cells but not in the wing disc. Our work highlights a neural and intestine stem cell-specific response to aneuploidy, which prevents their proliferation and expansion. It is unclear why certain tissues are more susceptible to the consequences of aneuploidy. Here, in Drosophila , Gogendeau et al. identify aneuploidy as the cause of lengthened G1 and premature differentiation in both neural and adult intestinal stem cells, which prevents cells with abnormal genomes from cycling.

Centrioles are characterized by a nine-fold arrangement of microtubule triplets held together by an inner protein scaffold. These structurally robust organelles experience strenuous cellular processes such as cell division or ciliary beating while performing their function. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the stability of microtubule triplets, as well as centriole architectural integrity remain poorly understood. Here, using ultrastructure expansion microscopy for nanoscale protein mapping, we reveal that POC16 and its human homolog WDR90 are components of the microtubule wall along the central core region of the centriole. We further found that WDR90 is an evolutionary microtubule associated protein. Finally, we demonstrate that WDR90 depletion impairs the localization of inner scaffold components, leading to centriole structural abnormalities in human cells. Altogether, this work highlights that WDR90 is an evolutionary conserved molecular player participating in centriole architecture integrity. Cells are made up of compartments called organelles that perform specific roles. A cylindrical organelle called the centriole is important for a number of cellular processes, ranging from cell division to movement and signaling. Each centriole contains nine blades made up of protein filaments called microtubules, which link together to form a cylinder. This well-known structure can be found in a variety of different species. Yet, it is unclear how centrioles are able to maintain this stable architecture whilst carrying out their various different cell roles. In early 2020, a group of researchers discovered a scaffold protein at the center of centrioles that helps keep the microtubule blades stable. Further investigation suggested that another protein called WDR90 may also help centrioles sustain their cylindrical shape. However, the exact role of this protein was poorly understood. To determine the role of WDR90, Steib et al. – including many of the researchers involved in the 2020 study – used a method called Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy to precisely locate the WDR90 protein in centrioles. This revealed that WDR90 is located on the microtubule wall of centrioles in green algae and human cells grown in the lab. Further experiments showed that the protein binds directly to microtubules and that removing WDR90 from human cells causes centrioles to lose their scaffold proteins and develop structural defects. This investigation provides fundamental insights into the structure and stability of centrioles. It shows that single proteins are key components in supporting the structural integrity of organelles and shaping their overall architecture. Furthermore, these findings demonstrate how ultrastructure expansion microscopy can be used to determine the role of individual proteins within a complex structure.

U-ExM enables near-native expansion microscopy of samples in vitro and in cells. The combination of U-ExM with confocal microscopy and HyVolution revealed details of centriole chirality that were previously accessible only by electron microscopy.

Super-resolution microscopies, which allow features below the diffraction limit to be resolved, have become an established tool in biological research. However, imaging throughput remains a major bottleneck in using them for quantitative biology, which requires large datasets to overcome the noise of the imaging itself and to capture the variability inherent to biological processes. Here, we develop a multi-focal flat illumination for field independent imaging (mfFIFI) module, and integrate it into an instant structured illumination microscope (iSIM). Our instrument extends the field of view (FOV) to >100×100 µm 2 without compromising image quality, and maintains high-speed (100 Hz), multi-color, volumetric imaging at double the diffraction-limited resolution. We further extend the effective FOV by stitching multiple adjacent images together to perform fast live-cell super-resolution imaging of dozens of cells. Finally, we combine our flat-fielded iSIM setup with ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) to collect 3D images of hundreds of centrioles in human cells, as well as of thousands of purified Chlamydomonas reinhardtii centrioles per hour at an effective resolution of ∼35 nm. We apply classification and particle averaging to these large datasets, allowing us to map the 3D organization of post-translational modifications of centriolar microtubules, revealing differences in their coverage and positioning.

Aneuploidy is associated with a variety of diseases such as cancer and microcephaly. Although many studies have addressed the consequences of a non-euploid genome in cells, little is known about their overall consequences in tissue and organism development. Here we use two different mutant conditions to address the consequences of aneuploidy during tissue development and homeostasis in Drosophila. We show that aneuploidy causes brain size reduction due to a decrease in the number of proliferative neural stem cells (NSCs), but not through apoptosis. Instead, aneuploid NSCs present an extended G1 phase, which leads to cell cycle exit and premature differentiation. Moreover, we show that this response to aneuploidy is also present in adult intestinal stem cells but not in the wing disc. Our work highlights a neural and intestine stem cell-specific response to aneuploidy, which prevents their proliferation and expansion.

Expansion microscopy (ExM) enables super-resolution fluorescence imaging of physically expanded biological samples with conventional microscopes. By combining expansion microscopy (ExM) with single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) it is potentially possible to approach the resolution of electron microscopy. However, current attempts to combine both methods remained challenging because of protein and fluorophore loss during digestion or denaturation, gelation, and the incompatibility of expanded polyelectrolyte hydrogels with photoswitching buffers. Here we show that re-embedding of expanded hydrogels enables dSTORM imaging of expanded samples and demonstrate that post-labeling ExM resolves the current limitations of super-resolution microscopy. Using microtubules as a reference structure and centrioles, we demonstrate that post-labeling Ex-SMLM preserves ultrastructural details, improves the labeling efficiency and reduces the positional error arising from linking fluorophores into the gel thus paving the way for super-resolution imaging of immunolabeled endogenous proteins with true molecular resolution. Footnotes * https://line-profiler.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

Summary Centrioles are characterized by a nine-fold arrangement of long-lived microtubule triplets that are held together by an inner protein scaffold. These structurally robust organelles experience strenuous cellular processes such as cell division or ciliary beating while performing their function. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the stability of microtubule triplets, as well as centriole architectural integrity remain poorly understood. Here, using ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) for nanoscale protein mapping, we reveal that POC16 and its human homolog WDR90 are components of the centriolar microtubule wall along the central core region of the centriole. We further found that WDR90 is an evolutionary microtubule associated protein with a predicted structurally homology with the ciliary inner junction protein FAP20. Finally, we demonstrate that WDR90 depletion impairs the localization of inner scaffold components, leading to centriole structural abnormalities in both human and Chlamydomonas cells. Altogether, this work highlights that POC16/WDR90 is a crucial evolutionary conserved molecular player participating in centriole architecture integrity.

Super-resolution microscopies, which allow features below the diffraction limit to be resolved, have become an established tool in biological research. However, imaging throughput remains a major bottleneck in using them for quantitative biology, which requires large datasets to overcome the noise of the imaging itself and to capture the variability inherent to biological processes. Here, we develop a multi-focal flat illumination for field independent imaging (mfFIFI) module, and integrate it into an instant structured illumination microscope (iSIM). Our instrument extends the field of view (FOV) to >100x100 micrometers^2 without compromising image quality, and maintains high-speed (100 Hz), multi-color, volumetric imaging at double the diffraction-limited resolution. We further extend the effective FOV by stitching multiple adjacent images together to perform fast live-cell super-resolution imaging of dozens of cells. Finally, we combine our flat-fielded iSIM setup with ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) to collect 3D images of hundreds of centrioles in human cells, as well as of thousands of purified Chlamydomonas reinhardtii centrioles per hour at an effective resolution of ~35 nm. We apply classification and particle averaging to these large datasets, allowing us to map the 3D organization of post-translational modifications of centriolar microtubules, revealing differences in their coverage and positioning.