Evrogen's genetically-encoded fluorescent sensors are complex chimeric proteins consisting of a fluorescent protein and a sensing polypeptide fused in a specific manner. The sensors demonstrate clearly detectable changes in fluorescence in response to corresponding cell events. The fluorescent biosensors allow precise targeting into various subcellular compartments or animal tissues and real-time in vivo measuring of signals in natural intracellular surroundings.
Genetically-encoded fluorescent indicators for monitoring changes in intracellular concentration of calcium ions (Ca2+) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and sensors for early detection of caspase-3 apoptosis are offered.
HyPer is the first fully genetically encoded fluorescent sensor capable of detecting intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), one of the main ROS generated by cells [Belousov et al., 2006]. Developed on the basis of yellow fluorescent protein inserted into the regulatory domain of E. coli protein OxyR (OxyR-RD) [Choi et al., 2001], HyPer demonstrates submicromolar affinity to hydrogen peroxide and is insensitive to other oxidants tested, such as superoxide, oxidized glutathione, nitric oxide, and peroxinitrite. HyPer does not cause artifactual ROS generation and can be used for detection of fast changes of H2O2 concentration in different cell compartments under various physiological and pathological conditions.
Without H2O2 HyPer has two excitation peaks with maxima at 420 nm and 500 nm, and one emission peak with maximum at 516 nm. Upon exposure to H2O2, the excitation peak at 420 nm decreases proportionally to the increase in the peak at 500 nm, allowing ratiometric measurement of H2O2.
Case12 is a high dynamic range genetically encoded fluorescent sensor for direct measurement of changes of intracellular Ca2+ under various physiological and pathological conditions [Souslova et al., 2007]. The sensor is sensitive to changes of calcium concentration in a physiological range from a hundred nanomoles to micromoles with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Binding of Ca2+ is fast and reversible, allowing monitoring of high-frequency Ca2+ oscillations. In response to Ca2+ concentration rise, Case12 shows up to 12-fold increase of fluorescence brightness. Fluorescence of Case12 is characterized by single excitation/emission maxima peaked at 491/516 nm.
Case12 is recommended for monitoring change of calcium concentration inside living cells during various physiological and pathological conditions.