Rapid and Specific Imaging of Extracellular Signaling Molecule Adenosine Triphosphate with a Self-Phosphorylating DNAzyme

J Am Chem Soc. 2021 Sep 22;143(37):15084-15090. doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c04925. Epub 2021 Aug 20.

Abstract

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is a central extracellular signaling agent involved in various physiological and pathological processes. However, precise measurements of the temporal and spatial components of ATP dynamics are lacking due primarily to the limitations of available methods for ATP detection. Here, we report on the first effort to design a self-phosphorylating DNAzyme (SPDz) sensor for fluorescence imaging of ATP. In response to ATP, SPDz sensors exhibit subsecond response kinetics, extremely high specificity, and micromolar affinities. In particular, we demonstrate cell-surface-anchored SPDz sensors for fluorescence imaging of both stress-induced endogenous ATP release in astrocytes and mechanical stimulation-evoked ATP release at the single-cell level. We also validated their utility for visualizing the rapid dynamic properties of ATP signaling upon electrical stimulation in astrocytes. Thus, SPDz sensors are robust tools for monitoring ATP signaling underlying diverse cellular processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / chemistry*
  • Astrocytes
  • Biosensing Techniques
  • DNA, Catalytic / chemistry*
  • DNA, Catalytic / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Optical Imaging / methods*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Single Molecule Imaging / methods*
  • Stress, Physiological

Substances

  • DNA, Catalytic
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Adenosine Triphosphate