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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding
Published on: June 9, 2017
G protein-coupled receptor mediated trimethylamine sensing
Anke Suska1, Ana B Ibáñez, Ingemar Lundström
1Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden. anksu@ifm.liu.se
Researchers developed a novel cell-based sensor for detecting trimethylamine (TMA). This biosensor, using genetically modified frog cells, offers a sensitive and specific method for measuring TMA in fish and as a vapor.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Trimethylamine (TMA) is a volatile compound with implications in food spoilage and fish spoilage detection.
- Existing methods for TMA detection can be complex or lack specificity.
- Trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) are involved in detecting various small amines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, sensitive, and specific cell-based biosensor for trimethylamine (TMA) detection.
- To characterize the functionality of mouse trace amine-associated receptor 5 (mTAAR5) in a recombinant Xenopus laevis melanophore system.
- To evaluate the sensor's applicability for both liquid and vapor phase TMA detection.
Main Methods:
- Genetic modification of Xenopus laevis melanophores to express mouse trace amine-associated receptor 5 (mTAAR5).
- Quantification of cellular responses to TMA using absorbance measurements (microplate reader) and cellular imaging (inverted microscope).
- Focused chemical screening to identify novel mTAAR5 stimuli.
- Development of an agarose-encapsulated cell system for TMA vapor detection.
Main Results:
- The recombinant mTAAR5-expressing cells exhibited high sensitivity to TMA.
- The cell-based sensor showed no cross-reactivity with trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), enabling specific TMA measurement.
- The developed platform successfully detected TMA vapor in the range of 1-100 ppm within 35 minutes.
- The agarose-encapsulated cells maintained viability for at least 6 hours in air.
Conclusions:
- A novel, highly sensitive, and specific cell-based biosensor for TMA detection was successfully developed using mTAAR5-expressing Xenopus laevis melanophores.
- The biosensor is suitable for quantifying TMA in fish tissue extracts due to its lack of TMAO sensitivity.
- The platform demonstrates potential for real-time TMA vapor monitoring applications.
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