Single Fluorescent Protein-Based Indicators for Zinc Ion (Zn2+)

摘要

Genetically encoded fluorescent Zn2+ indicators (GEZIs) are highly attractive research tools, for, studying Zn2+ homeostasis and signaling in mammalian cells. Most current GEZIs are based on Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between a select pair of fluorescent proteins (FPs) fused with Zn2+-binding motifs. One drawback of such FRET-based GEZIs their broad spectral profile bandwidths, creating challenges when-monitoring multiple targets of parameters. To, address this issue, we have engineered a group of intensiometric GEZIs based on single teal and red FPs that can be utilized to monitor subcellular Zn2+-diffusion and glucose-indueed Zn2+ secretion in pancreatic INS-1E beta-cells. These GEZIs offer-the, simplicity of intensiometric measurements, compatibility in multicolor imaging, large dynamic ranges, and relatively small molecular sizes, making them valuable additions to the molecular toolbox for imaging Zn2+.