Labeling GLUT4 with quantum dots for 3D tracking in live L6 cells

Quantum dots (QDs) are light-emitting semiconductor nanoparticles with unique optical and spectroscopic properties, and are emerging as an alternative to conventional dyes for fluorescence-based applications. In this study, we have developed a procedure for labeling and imaging glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in living cells with streptavidinconjugated quantum dot (QD-SA), and demonstrated that QDSA contained in cytoplasm has no obvious negative influence on L6 cells. Insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation is central to glucose homeostasis. The results of this study have proved that QDs can be applied to observing the dynamics of GLUT4 translocation in vivo as a sensitive and long-term imaging probe.