Design and Prototyping of Genetically Encoded Arsenic Biosensors Based on Transcriptional Regulator AfArsR.
Biomolecules
; 11(9)2021 08 26.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34572489
ABSTRACT
Genetically encoded biosensors based on engineered fluorescent proteins (FPs) are essential tools for monitoring the dynamics of specific ions and molecules in biological systems. Arsenic ion in the +3 oxidation state (As3+) is highly toxic to cells due to its ability to bind to protein thiol groups, leading to inhibition of protein function, disruption of protein-protein interactions, and eventually to cell death. A genetically encoded biosensor for the detection of As3+ could potentially facilitate the investigation of such toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we designed and developed two prototype genetically encoded arsenic biosensors (GEARs), based on a bacterial As3+ responsive transcriptional factor AfArsR from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. We constructed FRET-based GEAR biosensors by insertion of AfArsR between FP acceptor/donor FRET pairs. We further designed and engineered single FP-based GEAR biosensors by insertion of AfArsR into GFP. These constructs represent prototypes for a new family of biosensors based on the ArsR transcriptional factor scaffold. Further improvements of the GEAR biosensor family could lead to variants with suitable performance for detection of As3+ in various biological and environmental systems.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Arsénico
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Proteínas Bacterianas
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Factores de Transcripción
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Técnicas Biosensibles
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Acidithiobacillus
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Biomolecules
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Pakistán