Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Indicators to Visualize Protein Phosphorylation in Living Cells

Protein phosphorylation by intracellular kinases plays one of the most pivotal roles in signaling pathways within cells. To reveal the biological processes related to the kinase proteins, electrophoresis, immunocytochemistry, and in vitro kinase assay have been used. However, these conventional methods do not provide enough information about spatial and temporal dynamics of the signal transduction based on protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation in living cells. To overcome the limitation for investigating the kinase signaling, we developed genetically encoded fluorescent indicators for visualizing the protein phosphorylation in living cells. Using these indicators, we visualized under a fluorescence microscope when, where, and how the protein kinases are activated in single living cells.