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A GPCR-based yeast biosensor for biomedical, biotechnological, and point-of-use cannabinoid determination
Karel Miettinen1, Nattawat Leelahakorn1, Aldo Almeida1,2
1Biochemical Engineering Group, Plant Biochemistry Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Nature Communications
|June 27, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed yeast biosensors using G-protein coupled receptors to detect cannabinoids. This technology enables sensitive analysis of compounds in various applications, including drug discovery and portable testing.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Biosensor Technology
Background:
- Eukaryotic cells utilize G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) for sensing diverse environmental signals.
- GPCRs possess a broad sensing capacity applicable to developing novel biological sensors.
- Cannabinoids, known for neuromodulatory and immunomodulatory effects, are a target for biosensor development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer and optimize a yeast-based biosensor utilizing the CB2 receptor for cannabinoid detection.
- To demonstrate the biosensor's efficacy in diverse, real-world applications.
- To showcase the potential of GPCR-based biosensors for broad compound detection.
Main Methods:
- Construction and optimization of a CB2 receptor-based yeast biosensor for enhanced sensitivity and dynamic range.
- Screening of a compound library to identify cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists.
- Analysis of plant samples to discover novel phytocannabinoids.
- Development of a portable device for analyzing body fluids and detecting synthetic cannabinoids.
Main Results:
- Successful construction and optimization of a highly sensitive CB2 receptor yeast biosensor.
- Identification of novel cannabinoid agonists and antagonists through library screening.
- Discovery of a new phytocannabinoid, dugesialactone, from plant analysis.
- Demonstration of a portable device capable of detecting designer drugs in body fluid samples.
Conclusions:
- Yeast-based biosensors engineered with GPCRs offer a versatile platform for sensitive compound detection.
- This technology is adaptable for various applications, including drug screening, natural product discovery, and portable diagnostics.
- The developed biosensor system can be utilized by non-specialists, broadening accessibility to advanced analytical capabilities.
- The broad sensing repertoire of GPCRs allows for future expansion of this technology to detect a wide array of compounds.
