(December 9, 2015) A
team led by Professor Takafumi Uchida has created a new technique for
visualizing the dynamics of nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2−), both markers of
nitric oxide in a cell. Nitric oxide is a critical second messenger in the
body, playing roles in vascular homeostasis, neurotransmission and host
defense.
The new technology is called sNOOOpy which stands for
"sensor for NO3-/NO2− in physiology." sNOOOpy is a genetically
encoded intermolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based
indicator that senses levels of nitrate and nitrite. sNOOOpy utilizes the
NO3-/NO2--responsive two-component system of NasS and NasT system in the root
nodule bacterium Bradyhizobium japonicum.
sNOOOpy in a human
cancer line, HeLa cell. NO3− concentration increasing at intervals.
The researchers demonstrated with in vitro and cell culture
studies that sNOOOpy can monitor intracellular levels in the micromolar range
of nitrate and nitrite in real time. The authors say, "sNOOOpy is simple
and potentially applicable to a wide variety of living cells. It is expected to
provide insights into NO3−/NO2− dynamics in various organisms, including plants
and animals." They also believe sNOOOpy will be useful for discovering new
drugs and agricultural research.
This research was originally published in the Journal of
Biological Chemistry © the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology.