Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
10:10
Spatiotemporally Controlled Nuclear Translocation of Guests in Living Cells Using Caged Molecular Glues as Photoactivatable Tags
Published on: January 17, 2019
A method to map spatiotemporal pH changes inside living cells using a pH-triggered DNA nanoswitch.
1Biochemistry, Biophysics and Bioinformatics, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|June 16, 2011
Summary
Researchers developed a novel DNA nanoswitch pH sensor for tracking cellular acidity changes in real-time. This tool efficiently maps organelle pH dynamics during endocytosis, offering a new method for disease research.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Sensing
Background:
- Cellular compartments require specific pH for optimal function.
- Dysregulation of organelle pH is implicated in various diseases.
- Existing pH probes have limitations for intracellular measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-performance DNA nanoswitch for intracellular pH sensing.
- To create a method for mapping spatiotemporal pH changes in endocytic pathways.
- To overcome limitations of current pH measurement tools.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a DNA nanoswitch functioning as a FRET-based pH sensor.
- In vitro and intracellular validation of the nanoswitch's pH sensing capabilities.
- Utilizing Drosophila hemocytes for endocytosis and tracking of the nanoswitch within endocytic vesicles.
Main Results:
- The DNA nanoswitch demonstrates efficient pH sensing both in vitro and intracellularly.
- The sensor operates effectively in the pH range of 5.5-7, with high dynamic range between pH 5.8 and 7.
- The nanoswitch was successfully internalized by Drosophila hemocytes and tracked through endocytic maturation to the lysosomal stage.
Conclusions:
- The DNA nanoswitch offers a novel and efficient tool for real-time intracellular pH monitoring.
- This technology enables precise mapping of pH dynamics within the endocytic pathway.
- The sensor has potential applications in studying pH-related diseases and cellular processes.
