Biosensors based on Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between fluorescent protein mutants have started to revolutionize physiology and biochemistry. However, many types of FRET biosensors show relatively small FRET changes, making measurements with these probes challenging when used under sub-optimal experimental conditions. Thus, a major effort in the field currently lies in designing new optimization strategies for these types of sensors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe quality of genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) has improved dramatically in recent years, but high-performing ratiometric indicators are still rare. Here we describe a series of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based calcium biosensors with a reduced number of calcium binding sites per sensor. These 'Twitch' sensors are based on the C-terminal domain of Opsanus troponin C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCertain smooth muscles are able to reduce energy consumption greatly when holding without shortening. For instance, this is the case with muscles surrounding blood vessels used for regulating blood flow and pressure. The phenomenon is most conspicuous in 'catch' muscles of molluscs, which have been used as models for investigating this important physiological property of smooth muscle.
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