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FRET-based genetically-encoded sensors for quantitative monitoring of metabolites

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Abstract

Neighboring cells in the same tissue can exist in different states of dynamic activities. After genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, fluxomics is now equally important for generating accurate quantitative information on the cellular and sub-cellular dynamics of ions and metabolite, which is critical for functional understanding of organisms. Various spectrometry techniques are used for monitoring ions and metabolites, although their temporal and spatial resolutions are limited. Discovery of the fluorescent proteins and their variants has revolutionized cell biology. Therefore, novel tools and methods targeting sub-cellular compartments need to be deployed in specific cells and targeted to sub-cellular compartments in order to quantify the target-molecule dynamics directly. We require tools that can measure cellular activities and protein dynamics with sub-cellular resolution. Biosensors based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) are genetically encoded and hence can specifically target sub-cellular organelles by fusion to proteins or targetted sequences. Since last decade, FRET-based genetically encoded sensors for molecules involved in energy production, reactive oxygen species and secondary messengers have helped to unravel key aspects of cellular physiology. This review, describing the design and principles of sensors, presents a database of sensors for different analytes/processes, and illustrate examples of application in quantitative live cell imaging.

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Acknowledgments

First author (MM) acknowledges the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, for providing the financial support in the form of UGC research start up grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India

    Mohd. Mohsin

  2. Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India

    Altaf Ahmad

  3. Department of Botany, Hamdard University, New Delhi, 110062, India

    Muhammad Iqbal

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  1. Mohd. Mohsin
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  2. Altaf Ahmad
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  3. Muhammad Iqbal
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Correspondence to Mohd. Mohsin.

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Mohsin, M., Ahmad, A. & Iqbal, M. FRET-based genetically-encoded sensors for quantitative monitoring of metabolites. Biotechnol Lett 37, 1919–1928 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-015-1873-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-015-1873-6

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