EMD Millipore Introduces QCM™ Gelatin Invadopodia Assays for Study of Cell Invasion and Matrix Degradation

EMD Millipore, the Life Science division of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, today announced the launch of the QCM™ Gelatin Invadopodia Assays designed to standardize and enhance the study of cell invasion. The assays are the first and only commercially available kits for studying invadopodia.

Figure 1: Image shows invadopodia degradation (black spots) used by the cell as it migrates across a thin layer of fluorescently-labeled matrix (green). Actin puncta (red) are observed in concentration at invadopodia degradation sites of the cell. The nucleus is stained with DAPI (blue).

The new assays:

• Enable time-course visualization and quantification of matrix degradation by normal and cancerous cell types
• Provide simplified and standardized method for invadopodia and podosome degradation studies
• Include fluorescently-labeled gelatin and reagents for co-localizing the actin cytoskeleton and nuclei with degradation sites

Cell invasion into the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) is accompanied by the formation of protrusions of localized protease activity, called invadopodia in cancerous cell types and podosomes in non-malignant cells. A common method for visualizing invadopodia and podosome formation involves plating cells onto a fluorescently-labeled matrix, such as gelatin. Localized protease activity then causes degradation of the matrix and loss of fluorescence signal.

The new QCM™ Gelatin Invadopodia Assays provide a simplified and standardized protocol for affixing a thin layer of pre-labeled fluorescein (green) or Cy3 (red) gelatin to a glass substrate, as well as reagents for co-localizing the actin cytoskeleton and nuclei with degradation sites. The kits enable visualization of degradation produced by normal and malignant cell types. This degradation can be quantified by image analysis methods and used to track proteolytic time course studies, as well as modulator effects on invadopodia formation and ECM degradation.

“Conjugating fluorescent molecules to gelatin is a tedious process and difficult to execute in a standardized manner,” described Luke Armstrong Ph.D., Senior R&D Manager for Cell Based Assay Development. “With the new assay kits, the gelatin is provided pre-labeled, allowing for consistent preparation of homogenously fluorescent matrices on a range of user-defined glass surfaces. Researchers now have a simple and standardized process for visualizing matrix degradation, observing co-localization of the actin cytoskeleton and matrix degradation sites, and exploring the effect of modulators on this invasive activity.”

For more information on EMD Millipore QCM™ Gelatin Invadopodia Assays, please visit the company article page.