Single fluorescent protein-based Ca2+ sensors with increased dynamic range
2007

New Fluorescent Protein-Based Calcium Sensors

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Souslova Ekaterina A, Belousov Vsevolod V, Lock John G, Strömblad Staffan, Kasparov Sergey, Bolshakov Alexey P, Pinelis Vsevolod G, Labas Yulii A, Lukyanov Sergey, Mayr Lorenz M, Chudakov Dmitriy M

Primary Institution: Shemiakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS

Hypothesis

Can we develop fluorescent protein-based calcium sensors with increased dynamic range and brightness?

Conclusion

The new sensors, Case12 and Case16, show significantly improved brightness and dynamic range, making them effective tools for monitoring calcium levels in living cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • Case12 and Case16 showed up to 16.5-fold increase in fluorescence in response to calcium.
  • These sensors demonstrated high brightness and pH stability compared to existing sensors.
  • Case12 and Case16 were effective in monitoring calcium levels in living cells.

Takeaway

Scientists created new sensors that can better detect calcium in cells, which helps us understand how cells work.

Methodology

The study involved generating and characterizing circularly permuted fluorescent protein-based calcium sensors through site-directed mutagenesis and testing their responses in living cells.

Limitations

The sensors may still have low pH stability compared to some chemical probes.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6750-7-37

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