Imaging specific cell-surface proteolytic activity in single living cells
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Single-Molecule Measurement of Protein Interaction Dynamics Within Biomolecular Condensates
Published on: January 5, 2024
John P Hobson1, Shihui Liu, Birgitte Rønø
1Proteases and Tissue Remodeling Unit, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 30 Convent Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Abstract:
We describe a simple, sensitive and noninvasive assay that uses nontoxic, reengineered anthrax toxin-beta-lactamase fusion proteins with altered protease cleavage specificity to visualize specific cell-surface proteolytic activity in single living cells. The assay could be used to specifically image endogenous cell-surface furin, urokinase plasminogen activator and metalloprotease activity. We have adapted the assay for fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and fluorescent plate reader formats, and it is amenable for automation and high-throughput analysis.
