A sensitive and specific genetically encoded potassium ion biosensor for in vivo applications across the tree of life

Authors

Sheng-Yi Wu, Yurong Wen, Nelson B. C. Serre, Cathrine Charlotte Heiede Laursen, Andrea Grostøl Dietz, Brian R. Taylor, Mikhail Drobizhev, Rosana S. Molina, Abhi Aggarwal, Vladimir Rancic, Michael Becker, Klaus Ballanyi, Kaspar Podgorski, Hajime Hirase, Maiken Nedergaard, Matyáš Fendrych, Joanne Lemieux, Daniel F. Eberl, Alan R. Kay, Robert E. Campbell, Yi Shen

Publication

PLOS Biology

Abstract

Potassium ion (K+) plays a critical role as an essential electrolyte in all biological systems. Genetically-encoded fluorescent K+ biosensors are promising tools to further improve our understanding of K+-dependent processes under normal and pathological conditions. Here, we report the crystal structure of a previously reported genetically-encoded fluorescent K+ biosensor, GINKO1, in the K+-bound state. Using structure-guided optimization and directed evolution, we have engineered an improved K+ biosensor, designated GINKO2, with higher sensitivity and specificity. We have demonstrated the utility of GINKO2 for in vivo detection and imaging of K+ dynamics in multiple model organisms, including bacteria, plants, and mice.

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