Transcription factor beacons for the quantitative detection of DNA binding activity

J Am Chem Soc. 2011 Sep 7;133(35):13836-9. doi: 10.1021/ja204775k. Epub 2011 Aug 12.

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.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Probes / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • NF-kappa B / analysis
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles
  • Protein Binding
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • TATA-Box Binding Protein / analysis
  • TATA-Box Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / analysis*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • NF-kappa B
  • TATA-Box Binding Protein
  • Transcription Factors
  • DNA