Illumination of the spatial order of intracellular pH by genetically encoded pH-sensitive sensors.

ABSTRACT: Fluorescent proteins have been extensively used for engineering genetically encoded sensors that can monitor levels of ions, enzyme activities, redox potential, and metabolites. Certain fluorescent proteins possess specific pH-dependent spectroscopic features, and thus can be used as indicators of intracellular pH. Moreover, concatenated pH-sensitive proteins with target proteins pin the pH sensors to a definite location within the cell, compartment, or tissue. This study provides an overview of the continually expanding family of pH-sensitive fluorescent proteins that have become essential tools for studies of pH homeostasis and cell physiology. We describe and discuss the design of intensity-based and ratiometric pH sensors, their spectral properties and pH-dependency, as well as their p

SUBMITTER: Bencina M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3892890 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature