Semisynthetic fluorescent pH sensors for imaging exocytosis and endocytosis.

Martineau, Magalie; Somasundaram, Agila; Grimm, Jonathan B; Gruber, Todd D; Choquet, Daniel; Taraska, Justin W; Lavis, Luke D; Perrais, David · Nat Commun · 2017

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The GFP-based superecliptic pHluorin (SEP) enables detection of exocytosis and endocytosis, but its performance has not been duplicated in red fluorescent protein scaffolds. Here we describe "semisynthetic" pH-sensitive protein conjugates with organic fluorophores, carbofluorescein, and Virginia Orange that match the properties of SEP. Conjugation to genetically encoded self-labeling tags or antibodies allows visualization of both exocytosis and endocytosis, constituting new bright sensors for these key steps of synaptic transmission.

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