A wealth of assays for screening GPCR activity have been developed. Biosensors that employ Förster Resonance Energy transfer (FRET) are specific and enable dynamic measurements. Moreover, FRET biosensors are ideally suited for the analysis of single living cells. The FRET biosensors described in this manuscript are entirely genetically encoded by plasmids. Here, protocols for employing FRET-based biosensors to detect G protein activity upon GPCR activation are reported. The protocols include details on the isolation of plasmids, transfection, generation of stable cell lines with the FRET biosensors, FRET ratio imaging, and data analysis.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1221-7_11 | DOI Listing |
Cell Struct Funct
January 2025
Department of Pathology and Biology of Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University.
Live imaging techniques have revolutionized our understanding of paracrine signaling, a crucial form of cell-to-cell communication in biological processes. This review examines recent advances in visualizing and tracking paracrine factors through four key stages: secretion from producing cells, diffusion through extracellular space, binding to target cells, and activation of intracellular signaling within target cells. Paracrine factor secretion can be directly visualized by fluorescent protein tagging to ligand, or indirectly by visualizing the cleavage of the transmembrane pro-ligands or plasma membrane fusion of endosomes comprising the paracrine factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia
January 2025
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
Fluorescent biosensors offer a powerful tool for tracking and quantifying protein activity in living systems with high temporospatial resolution. However, the expression of genetically encoded fluorescent proteins can interfere with endogenous signaling pathways, potentially leading to developmental and physiological abnormalities. The EKAREV-NLS mouse model, which carries a FRET-based biosensor for monitoring extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity, has been widely utilized both in vivo and in vitro across various cell types and organs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAngew Chem Int Ed Engl
January 2025
Emory University, Chemistry, 1515 Dickey Dr., 30322, Atlanta, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Genetically encoded tension sensors (GETSs) allow for quantifying forces experienced by intracellular proteins involved in mechanotransduction. The vast majority of GETSs are comprised of a FRET pair flanking an elastic "spring-like" domain that gradually extends in response to force. Because of ensemble averaging, the FRET signal generated by such analog sensors conceals forces that deviate from the average, and hence it is unknown if a subset of proteins experience greater magnitudes of force.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnal Chim Acta
February 2025
Joint Drug Development and Innovation Centre for Neurological Disorders of Lanzhou University-China National Biotec Group-Lanzhou Biotechnology Development Co., School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China; MOE Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, PR China. Electronic address:
Background: Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) is the most potent and prevalent neurotoxin known to cause botulism, and is also widely used in medical and cosmetic applications. The detection of BoNT/A is of great significance for botulism diagnosis and drug potency determination. Currently, the mouse bioassay (MBA) has long been the gold standard method but has disadvantages of ethical concerns, long testing duration, and high costs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Cells
January 2025
Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic Korea. Electronic address:
Recent advancements in fluorescence-based biosensor technologies have enabled more precise and accurate Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) imaging within Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation systems. However, the application of FRET imaging in plant tissues remains hindered by significant challenges, particularly the time-intensive process of generating transgenic lines and the complications arising from tissue autofluorescence. In contrast, protoplast-based FRET imaging offers a rapid and efficient platform for functional screening and analysis, making it an essential tool for plant research.
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