Imaging the Redox States of Live Cells with the Time-Resolved Fluorescence of Genetically Encoded Biosensors

Anal Chem. 2019 Mar 19;91(6):3869-3876. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04292. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Abstract

Redox environments in cells influence many important physiological and pathological processes. In this study, the time-resolved fluorescence of a recently reported thiol redox-sensitive sensor based on vertebrate fluorescent protein UnaG, roUnaG, was studied, along with the application of the time-resolved fluorescence of roUnaG to image the redox states of the mitochondria, cytoplasm, and nucleus in live cells. Time-resolved fluorescence images of roUnaG clearly demonstrated that potent anticancer compound KP372-1 induced extreme oxidative stress. A more stressful redox state observed in activated macrophages further demonstrated the validity of roUnaG with time-resolved fluorescence. For comparison, time-resolved fluorescence images of four other frequently used redox biosensors (roGFP1, HyPer, HyPerRed, and rxRFP) were also captured. The time-resolved fluorescence allows an intrinsically ratiometric measurement for biosensors with one excitation wavelength and provides new opportunities for bioimaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Survival
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Optical Imaging / methods*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • RAW 264.7 Cells

Substances

  • Green Fluorescent Proteins