A genetically encoded fluorescent indicator capable of discriminating estrogen agonists from antagonists in living cells.
A genetically encoded fluorescent indicator was developed for the detection and characterization of estrogen agonists and antagonists. Two different color mutants of green fluorescent protein were joined by a tandem fusion domain composed of LXXLL (L = leucine, X = any amino acid) motif from the nuclear receptor-box II of steroid receptor coactivator 1, a flexible linker sequence, and the estrogen receptor alpha ligand binding domain (ERalpha LBD). Monitoring real-time ligand-induced conformational change in the ERalpha LBD to recruit the LXXLL motif allowed screening of natural and synthetic estrogens in single living cells using fluorescence resonance energy-transfer technique. The indicator was named SCCoR (single cell-coactivator recruitment). The high sensitivity of the present indicator made it possible to distinguish between estrogen strong and weak agonists in a dose-dependent fashion, immediately after adding ligand to live cells. Discrimination of agonists from antagonists was efficiently achieved using the present study. The approach described here can be applied to develop biosensors for other hormone receptors as well.
Awais
Muhammad
M
Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo and Japan Science and Technology Corporation (JST), Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Sato
Moritoshi
M
Sasaki
Kazuki
K
Umezawa
Yoshio
Y
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D008954:Models, Biological; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D004967:Estrogens; D008024:Ligands; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins