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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

The Use of a β-lactamase-based Conductimetric Biosensor Assay to Detect Biomolecular Interactions
Published on: February 1, 2018
Engineering β-lactamase zymogens for use in protease activity assays
Hajin Kim1, Hyun Kyung Yoon, Tae Hyeon Yoo
1Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, 206 World cup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon 443-749, South Korea.
Abstract:
In this study, the concept of autoinhibition, a mechanism of protein activity regulation, was applied to the design and engineering of a β-lactamase zymogen. Using this zymogen, a sensitive protease assay method was developed in which activation of the zymogen by proteases produces an amplified absorbance signal. The approach reported here can be adapted for engineering of zymogens as biological sensors and components of synthetic signaling pathways.

