A biosensor generated via high-throughput screening quantifies cell edge Src dynamics

Akash Gulyani, Eric Vitriol, Richard Allen, Jianrong Wu, Dmitriy Gremyachinskiy, Steven Lewis, Brian Dewar, Lee M. Graves, Brian K. Kay, Brian Kuhlman, Tim Elston, Klaus M. Hahn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fluorescent biosensors for living cells currently require laborious optimization and a unique design for each target. They are limited by the availability of naturally occurring ligands with appropriate target specificity. Here we describe a biosensor based on an engineered fibronectin monobody scaffold that can be tailored to bind different targets via high-throughput screening. We made this Src-family kinase (SFK) biosensor by derivatizing a monobody specific for activated SFKs with a bright dye whose fluorescence increases upon target binding. We identified sites for dye attachment and changes to eliminate vesiculation in living cells, providing a generalizable scaffold for biosensor production. This approach minimizes cell perturbation because it senses endogenous, unmodified target, and because sensitivity is enhanced by direct dye excitation. Automated correlation of cell velocities and SFK activity revealed that SFKs are activated specifically during protrusion. Activity correlates with velocity, and peaks 1-2 μm from the leading edge.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)437-444
Number of pages8
JournalNature Chemical Biology
Volume7
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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