Fluorogenic and genetic targeting of a red-emitting molecular calcium indicator

Chem Commun (Camb). 2022 Jun 8;58(46):6594-6597. doi: 10.1039/d2cc01792j.

Abstract

We introduce a strategy for the fluorogenic and genetic targeting of a calcium indicator by combining a protein fluorogen with the BAPTA sensing group. The resulting dual-input probe acts like a fluorescent AND logic gate with a Ca2+-sensitive red emission that is activated only upon reaction with HaloTag with a 25-fold intensity enhancement and can be used for wash-free calcium imaging in HeLa cells. The modular all-molecular design relying on a well-established self-labeling protein tag opens future possibilities for tuning the photophysical properties or targeting different analytes.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium*
  • Fluorescent Dyes*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Calcium