A highly selective, label-free, homogenous luminescent switch-on probe for the detection of nanomolar transcription factor NF-kappaB.

Transcription factors are involved in a number of important cellular processes. The transcription factor NF-κB has been linked with a number of cancers, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. As a result, monitoring transcription factors potentially represents a means for the early detection and prevention of diseases. Most methods for transcription factor detection tend to be tedious and laborious and involve complicated sample preparation, and are not practical for routine detection. We describe herein the first label-free luminescence switch-on detection method for transcription factor activity using Exonuclease III and a luminescent ruthenium complex, [Ru(phen)(2)(dppz)](2+). As a proof of concept for this novel assay, we have designed a double-stranded DNA sequence bearing two NF-κB binding sites. The results show that the luminescence response was proportional to the concentration of the NF-κB subunit p50 present in the sample within a wide concentration range, with a nanomolar detection limit. In the presence of a known NF-κB inhibitor, oridonin, a reduction in the luminescence response of the ruthenium complex was observed. The reduced luminescence response of the ruthenium complex in the presence of small molecule inhibitors allows the assay to be applied to the high-throughput screening of chemical libraries to identify new antagonists of transcription factor DNA binding activity. This will allow the rapid and low cost identification and development of novel scaffolds for the treatment of diseases caused by the deregulation of transcription factor activity.

Simple and convenient G-quadruplex-based turn-on fluorescence assay for 3' → 5' exonuclease activity.

A selective, oligonucleotide-based, label-free, turn-on fluorescence detection method for 3' → 5' exonuclease activity has been developed using crystal violet as a G-quadruplex-binding probe. The assay is highly simple and rapid, does not require the use of gel-based equipment or radioisotopic labeling, and is amenable to high-throughput and real-time detection. A proof-of-concept of this assay has been demonstrated for prokaryotic Exonuclease III (ExoIII) and human TREX1.

3-Mercapto-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid: a small lanthanide-binding tag for protein studies by NMR spectroscopy.

Paramagnetic effects from lanthanide ions present powerful tools for protein studies by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provided that the lanthanide can be site-specifically and rigidly attached to the protein. A new, particularly small and rigid lanthanide-binding tag, 3-mercapto-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (3MDPA), was synthesized and attached to two different proteins via a disulfide bond. The complexes of the N-terminal domain of the E. coli arginine repressor (ArgN) with seven different paramagnetic lanthanide ions and Co(2+) were analyzed in detail by NMR spectroscopy. The magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (Delta chi) tensors and metal position were determined from pseudocontact shifts. The 3MDPA tag generated very different Delta chi tensor orientations compared to the previously studied 4-mercaptomethyl-DPA tag, making it a highly complementary and useful tool for protein NMR studies.

A dipicolinic acid tag for rigid lanthanide tagging of proteins and paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy.

A new lanthanide tag was designed for site-specific labeling of proteins with paramagnetic lanthanide ions. The tag, 4-mercaptomethyl-dipicolinic acid, binds lanthanide ions with nanomolar affinity, is readily attached to proteins via a disulfide bond, and avoids the problems of diastereomer formation associated with most of the conventional lanthanide tags. The high lanthanide affinity of the tag opens the possibility to measure residual dipolar couplings in a single sample containing a mixture of paramagnetic and diamagnetic lanthanides. Using the DNA-binding domain of the E. coli arginine repressor as an example, it is demonstrated that the tag allows immobilization of the lanthanide ion in close proximity of the protein by additional coordination of the lanthanide by a carboxyl group of the protein. The close proximity of the lanthanide ion promotes accurate determinations of magnetic susceptibility anisotropy tensors. In addition, the small size of the tag makes it highly suitable for studies of intermolecular interactions.

Oligonucleotide-based luminescent detection of metal ions.

Metal ions are prevalent in biological systems and are critically involved in essential life processes. However, excess concentrations of metals can pose a serious danger to living organisms. Oligonucleotides represent a versatile sensing platform for the detection of various molecular entities including metal ions. This review summarizes the recent advances in the development of oligonucleotide-based luminescent detection methods for metal ions.

A selective G-quadruplex-based luminescent switch-on probe for the detection of nanomolar silver(I) ions in aqueous solution.

A G-quadruplex-based luminescent platinum(II) switch-on probe has been developed for the selective detection of nanomolar Ag(+) ions in aqueous solution.