A single-chain-variable-fragment fluorescence biosensor activates fluorogens from dissimilar chemical families

Protein Pept Lett. 2014;21(12):1289-94.

Abstract

Current advancements in biological protein discovery utilize bi-partite methods of fluorescence detection where chromophore and scaffold are uncoupled. One such technology, called fluorogen-activating proteins (FAPs), consists of single-chain-variable-fragments (scFvs) selected against small organic molecules (fluorogens) that are non-fluorescent in solution, but highly fluorescent when bound to the scFv. In unusual circumstances a scFv may activate similar fluorogens from a single chemical family. In this report we identified a scFv biosensor with fluorescence activity against multiple fluorogens from two structurally dissimilar families. In-vitro analysis revealed highly selective scFv-ligand interactions at sub-micromolar ranges. Additionally, each scFv-fluorogen complex possesses unique excitation and emission spectra, which allows broader detection limits from the biosensor. Further analysis indicated that ligand activation, regardless of chemical family, occurs at a common scFv binding region that proves flexible, yet selective for fluorogen binding. As a protein reporter at the surface of mammalian cells, the scFv revealed bright signal detection and minimal background. Additionally, when tagged to a G-protein-coupled receptor, we observed agonist dependent signaling leading to protein traffic from cell surface to endosomes via multi-color fluorescence tracking. In summary, this report unveils a noncanonical scFv biosensor with properties of high ligand affinity and multi-channel fluorescence detection, which consequently offers expanded opportunities for cellular protein discovery.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / chemistry*
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / metabolism

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Single-Chain Antibodies