Possible application of metal sensitive red fluorescent proteins in environmental monitoring
1 University Politehnica of Bucharest, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, Splaiul Independentei, 313, RO-060042 Bucuresti, Romania
2 Sapientia University, Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Sciences, Piata Libertatii 1, RO-5301104, Miercurea Ciuc
3 E tv s L r nd University, Department of Biochemistry, P zm ny P ter street 1/C, H-1117, Budapest
2 Sapientia University, Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Sciences, Piata Libertatii 1, RO-5301104, Miercurea Ciuc
3 E tv s L r nd University, Department of Biochemistry, P zm ny P ter street 1/C, H-1117, Budapest
Abstract
The metal sensitivity and selectivity of two fluorescent proteins was investigated. The studied proteins are mutant forms of the red fluorescent protein (DsRed); according to our results, both proteins showed sensitivity to the presence of copper[II] and nickel ions. The fluorescence intensity of the proteins has decreased significantly in the presence of copper ions in the micromolar range. Metal binding by these proteins is a reversible process, as addition of a chelating agent liberates the bound ions. Considering these advantageous properties, the studied proteins can be used as copper ion biosensors.
Keywords
biosensor; fluorescence; metal ion; quenching