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Updated: May 8, 2026
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Published on: July 22, 2013
A Red Fluorescent Genetically Encoded Biosensor for the Visualization of ATP in Live Cells
Jianliang Deng1,2, Yu Hou1, Rui Gong3
1Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
ACS Sensors
|May 6, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed IGAS, a novel biosensor for real-time adenosine triphosphate (ATP) monitoring in prokaryotes. This tool overcomes pH challenges, enabling accurate cellular energy dynamics tracking.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Metabolism
Background:
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is vital for cellular energy, but real-time analysis in prokaryotes is difficult.
- Intracellular pH fluctuations and background interference hinder accurate ATP monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel genetically encoded biosensor for real-time ATP dynamics in prokaryotes.
- To engineer a biosensor with high selectivity, pH stability, and dynamic range.
Main Methods:
- Engineered IGAS biosensor by combining a Bacillus subtilis PS3 binding protein with fluorescent proteins.
- Characterized IGAS performance, including dynamic range, selectivity, and pH stability.
- Utilized molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to engineer tunable affinity variants.
Main Results:
- IGAS demonstrated a 2.8-fold dynamic range, high ATP selectivity, and pH stability.
- Successfully monitored intracellular ATP fluctuations in E. coli, consistent with luciferase assays.
- Engineered IGAS variants with tunable affinities for diverse cellular applications.
Conclusions:
- IGAS is a versatile and reversible tool for dynamic ATP detection in complex biological systems.
- The biosensor facilitates real-time monitoring of cellular energy metabolism.
- MD simulations aid in optimizing biosensor performance for specific applications.
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