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A sensitive and specific genetically-encoded potassium ion biosensor for in vivo applications across the tree of life
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

A sensitive and specific genetically-encoded potassium ion biosensor for in vivo applications across the tree of life

Sheng-Yi Wu, Yurong Wen, Nelson B. C Serre, Cathrine Charlotte Heiede Laursen, Andrea Grostøl Dietz, Brian R Taylor, Mikhail Drobizhev, Rosana S Molina, Abhi Aggarwal, Vladimir Rancic, …
PLoS biology, Vol.20(9), e3001772
09/2022
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001772
PMCID: PMC9481166
PMID: 36067248
url
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001772View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Potassium ion (K+) plays a critical role as an essential electrolyte in all biological systems. Genetically-encoded fluorescent K+ biosensors are promising tools to further improve our understanding of K+-dependent processes under normal and pathological conditions. Here, we report the crystal structure of a previously reported genetically-encoded fluorescent K+ biosensor, GINKO1, in the K+-bound state. Using structure-guided optimization and directed evolution, we have engineered an improved K+ biosensor, designated GINKO2, with higher sensitivity and specificity. We have demonstrated the utility of GINKO2 for in vivo detection and imaging of K+ dynamics in multiple model organisms, including bacteria, plants, and mice.
biosensor genetically-encoded mice potassium ion tree of life vivo applications

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