Cited by 22Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy TechniquesMolecular Sensors and Ion DetectionAnalytical Chemistry and Sensors

Genetically encoded fluorescent sensors for metals in biology

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Torres-Ocampo, Ana P., Palmer, Amy E.·2023·Current Opinion in Chemical Biology

Abstract

Metal ions intersect a wide range of biological processes. Some metal ions are essential and hence absolutely required for the growth and health of an organism, others are toxic and there is great interest in understanding mechanisms of toxicity. Genetically encoded fluorescent sensors are powerful tools that enable the visualization, quantification, and tracking of dynamics of metal ions in biological systems. Here, we review recent advances in the development of genetically encoded fluorescent sensors for metal ions. We broadly focus on 5 classes of sensors: single fluorescent protein, FRET-based, chemigenetic, DNAzymes, and RNA-based. We highlight recent developments in the past few years and where these developments stand concerning the rest of the field.

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  • It is becoming possible to better visualize metals in motion with sensitive analytical tools, including an ever-increasing set of sensors to monitor chelatable metal ions in living cells.

    “Together with sensitive analytical tools, including an ever-increasing set of sensors to monitor chelatable metal ions in living cells,223−225 it is becoming possible to better visualize metals in motion.”

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Sorted by citations

Authors
Torres-Ocampo, A. P., & Palmer, A. E.
Affiliations
University of Colorado Boulder (US)
Corresponding author
Palmer, Amy E.
Venue
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-06
Volume
74
Pages
102284
ISSN
1367-5931 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4323979912
Cited by
22
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 2
FWCI
0.72
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Chemical Biology (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (MIRA R35 GM139644)
  • National Institutes of Health
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Spectroscopy › Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection
  • Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Bioengineering › Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
Keywords
genetically encoded fluorescent sensors, metal ions, metal ion sensing, fluorescent proteins, FRET-based sensors, chemogenetics, DNAzyme, metal ion toxicity
MeSH terms
Biology, Fluorescent Dyes, Ions, Metals, Biosensing Techniques, DNA, Catalytic

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