A genetically encoded fluorescent probe in mammalian cells

J Am Chem Soc. 2013 Aug 28;135(34):12540-3. doi: 10.1021/ja4059553. Epub 2013 Aug 14.

Abstract

Fluorescent reporters are useful in vitro and in vivo probes of protein structure, function, and localization. Here we report that the fluorescent amino acid, 3-(6-acetylnaphthalen-2-ylamino)-2-aminopropanoic acid (Anap), can be site-specifically incorporated into proteins in mammalian cells in response to the TAG codon with high efficiency using an orthogonal amber suppressor tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) pair. We further demonstrate that Anap can be used to image the subcellular localization of proteins in live mammalian cells. The small size of Anap, its environment-sensitive fluorescence, and the ability to introduce Anap at specific sites in the proteome by simple mutagenesis make it a unique and valuable tool in eukaryotic cell biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / chemistry
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / genetics*
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Cricetulus
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics*
  • beta-Alanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • beta-Alanine / chemistry
  • beta-Alanine / genetics
  • beta-Alanine / metabolism

Substances

  • 3-(6-acetylnaphthalen-2-ylamino)-2-aminopropanoic acid
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • beta-Alanine
  • RNA, Transfer
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases