Nongenetic Approach for Imaging Protein Dimerization by Aptamer Recognition and Proximity-Induced DNA Assembly

J Am Chem Soc. 2018 Mar 28;140(12):4186-4190. doi: 10.1021/jacs.7b11311. Epub 2018 Mar 13.

Abstract

Herein, we report a nongenetic and real-time approach for imaging protein dimerization on living cell surfaces by aptamer recognition and proximity-induced DNA assembly. We use the aptamer specific for the receptor monomer as a recognition probe. When receptor dimerization occurs, the dimeric receptors bring two aptamer probes into close proximity, thereby triggering dynamic DNA assembly. The proposed approach was successfully applied to visualize dimerization of Met receptor and transforming growth factor-β type II receptor. This approach allows us to image the two states (monomer/dimer) of a receptor protein on living cell surfaces in real time, opening a universal method for further investigation of protein dimerization and the corresponding activation processes in signal transduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • Dimerization
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / chemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / chemistry
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • DNA
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met