Development of a selective, sensitive, and reversible biosensor by the genetic incorporation of a metal-binding site into green fluorescent protein

Abstract

There when the light goes out: A copper biosensor was created by the introduction of the metal-chelating noncanonical amino acid L-DOPA in place of L-tyrosine into green fluorescent protein by genetic-code engineering (see picture). The specific binding of Cu2+ in vitro by the modified protein was reversible and resulted in fluorescence quenching in proportion to the amount of Cu2+ present. EDTA=ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.