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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
09:12
G Protein-selective GPCR Conformations Measured Using FRET Sensors in a Live Cell Suspension Fluorometer Assay
Published on: September 10, 2016
SENSIT, a Modular Single-Chain Fluorescent Integrator Platform for GPCR Ligands.
Aubrey Putansu1,2, Isabel Solowiej1,2, Hannah Rivett-Trznadel1,2
1Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.
ACS Chemical Biology
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a new tool, the single-chain expressing neurotransmitter sensing integrator tool (SENSIT), to map neurotransmitter release in the brain. This platform enables high-resolution whole-brain mapping of specific neurotransmitters like epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are crucial for neurotransmission but visualizing their activity across large brain volumes at high resolution is challenging.
- Existing methods struggle to provide detailed insights into neurotransmitter release dynamics and localization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel modular platform for high-resolution neurotransmitter sensing across large brain volumes.
- To create specific reporters for catecholamines and acetylcholine using the developed platform.
- To enable generalized sensor design for diverse neurotransmitters for potential whole-brain mapping.
Main Methods:
- Designed a modular platform named single-chain expressing neurotransmitter sensing integrator tool (SENSIT) utilizing bifunctional chimeric nanobodies.
- Applied SENSIT to create reporters for epinephrine and norepinephrine with high selectivity.
- Developed a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 2 (CHRM2)-based sensor and chimeric miniG proteins to demonstrate platform modularity.
Main Results:
- Epinephrine and norepinephrine reporters demonstrated 20-fold and 5-fold selectivity, respectively, over other catecholamines.
- Successfully developed a CHRM2-based sensor, showcasing the platform's versatility.
- The SENSIT platform represents the first single-chain integrator sensor capable of distinguishing between epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Conclusions:
- The SENSIT platform offers a powerful, modular approach for high-resolution neurotransmitter sensing.
- This technology enables the distinction of specific catecholamines and has potential for broad application in neuroscience research.
- SENSIT paves the way for generalized integrator sensor design and whole-brain mapping of neurotransmitter activity.
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01:15G Protein-coupled Receptors
G Protein-Coupled Receptors or GPCRs are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to sensory stimuli such as light, odors, hormones, cytokines, or neurotransmitters.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
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01:21G-protein Coupled Receptors
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