Split Luciferase Molecular Tension Sensors for Bioluminescent Readout of Mechanical Forces in Biological Systems.

ABSTRACT: The ability of proteins to sense and transmit mechanical forces underlies many biological processes, but characterizing these forces in biological systems remains a challenge. Existing genetically encoded force sensors typically rely on fluorescence or bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (FRET or BRET) to visualize tension. However, these force sensing modules are relatively large, and interpreting measurements requires specialized image analysis and careful control experiments. Here, we report a compact molecular tension sensor that generates a bioluminescent signal in response to tension. This sensor (termed PILATeS) makes use of the split NanoLuc luciferase and consists of the H. sapiens titin I10 domain with the insertion of a 10-15 amino acid tag derived from the C-termin

SUBMITTER: Zhong BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11839233 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature