title: Transcription factor beacons for the quantitative detection of DNA binding activity.
abstract: The development of convenient, real-time probes for monitoring protein function in biological samples represents an important challenge of the postgenomic era. In response, we introduce here "transcription factor beacons," binding-activated fluorescent DNA probes that signal the presence of specific DNA-binding activities. As a proof of principle, we present beacons for the rapid, sensitive detection of three transcription factors (TATA Binding Protein, Myc-Max, and NF-κB), and measure binding activity directly in crude nuclear extracts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, 93106, United States.
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vallée-Bélisle
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bonham
authors.forename: Norbert O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Kevin W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Plaxco
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011485:Protein Binding; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D035181:TATA-Box Binding Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D016328:NF-kappa B; D035181:TATA-Box Binding Protein; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA