[Ph-Sensor Properties of a Fluorescent Protein from Dendronephthya sp]

Area of Science:

• Cellular biology
• Biophysics
• Genetics

Context:

• Genetically encoded biosensors are crucial for real-time monitoring of intracellular environments.
• Fluorescent proteins are widely used for developing these biosensors.
• Existing pH sensors often suffer from fluorescence quenching upon acidification.

Purpose:

• To investigate the pH-sensitivity of a fluorescent protein from Dendronephthya sp. (DendFP).
• To explore the potential of DendFP as a ratiometric pH sensor for live-cell imaging.

Summary:

• DendFP exhibits significant pH-sensitivity, with its fluorescence emission shifting from red to green as pH decreases.
• Unlike many other sensors, DendFP's fluorescence is not quenched by acidification.
• Quantitative intracellular pH measurements can be achieved by comparing red and green emission intensities.

Impact:

• DendFP offers a novel and advantageous tool for live-cell pH monitoring.
• This sensor overcomes limitations of existing pH-sensitive fluorescent proteins.
• Enables more accurate and reliable studies of cellular pH dynamics.