FRET probes for measuring sphingolipid metabolizing enzyme activity

Chem Phys Lipids. 2018 Nov:216:152-161. doi: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2018.09.014. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Abstract

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes are unique tools in biology, as they allow for a non-destructive monitoring of a certain state of a biomolecule or of an artificial substrate within living cells in real time. FRET substrates indicate their relative cleavage rate and thus the in situ activity of a given enzyme. In contrast to quenched probes or turn-on probes, one of the two separate signals of the FRET probes can be used as internal reference, which makes ratio-imaging and quantitation of cleavage events independent of cellular delivery possible. In this review, we describe the first examples of sphingolipid FRET probes in comparison to different alternative probes. Finally, we give an outlook on future probes and their potential application.

Keywords: Ceramidase probes; Enzyme assays; FRET-based lipid probes; Live cell imaging; Sphingolipids; Sphingomyelinase probes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / analysis*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Sphingolipids / chemistry
  • Sphingolipids / metabolism*
  • Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase / analysis*
  • Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Sphingolipids
  • Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase