Mapping of the receptor-associated protein (RAP) binding proteins on living fibroblast cells using an atomic force microscope

The distribution of the receptor-associated protein (RAP) binding protein and the adhesion forces between RAP and its binding protein on living fibroblast cells were examined using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The distribution of RAP binding protein was obtained on 256 (16×16) locations in 2×2 μm sections over the surface of living cells. The adhesion forces between RAP and the binding protein were measured with an AFM tip functionalized with RAP. In the presence of RAP in the scanning solution, the number of force curves with large adhesion force decreased. These results indicate that the adhesive forces observed here represent specific binding between RAP and the binding protein. This method will be a useful application of AFM to examine receptors on cell surfaces in high resolution.