Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

A new design for a green calcium indicator with a smaller size and a reduced number of calcium-binding sites

  • Natalia V. Barykina
  • , Oksana M. Subach
  • , Danila A. Doronin
  • , Vladimir P. Sotskov
  • , Marina A. Roshchina
  • , Tatiana A. Kunitsyna
  • , Aleksey Y. Malyshev
  • , Ivan V. Smirnov
  • , Asya M. Azieva
  • , Ilya S. Sokolov
  • , Kiryl D. Piatkevich
  • , Mikhail S. Burtsev
  • , Anna M. Varizhuk
  • , Galina E. Pozmogova
  • , Konstantin V. Anokhin
  • , Fedor V. Subach
  • , Grigori N. Enikolopov
  • Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
  • Russian Academy of Sciences
  • Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute
  • Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of RAS
  • Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Federal Medical-Biological Agency
  • Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) are mainly represented by two- or one-fluorophore-based sensors. One type of two-fluorophore-based sensor, carrying Opsanus troponin C (TnC) as the Ca 2+ -binding moiety, has two binding sites for calcium ions, providing a linear response to calcium ions. One-fluorophore-based sensors have four Ca 2+ -binding sites but are better suited for in vivo experiments. Herein, we describe a novel design for a one-fluorophore-based GECI with two Ca 2+ -binding sites. The engineered sensor, called NTnC, uses TnC as the Ca 2+ -binding moiety, inserted in the mNeonGreen fluorescent protein. Monomeric NTnC has higher brightness and pH-stability in vitro compared with the standard GECI GCaMP6s. In addition, NTnC shows an inverted fluorescence response to Ca 2+. Using NTnC, we have visualized Ca 2+ dynamics during spontaneous activity of neuronal cultures as confirmed by control NTnC and its mutant, in which the affinity to Ca 2+ is eliminated. Using whole-cell patch clamp, we have demonstrated that NTnC dynamics in neurons are similar to those of GCaMP6s and allow robust detection of single action potentials. Finally, we have used NTnC to visualize Ca 2+ neuronal activity in vivo in the V1 cortical area in awake and freely moving mice using two-photon microscopy or an nVista miniaturized microscope.

Original languageEnglish
Article number34447
JournalScientific Reports
Volume6
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 28 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A new design for a green calcium indicator with a smaller size and a reduced number of calcium-binding sites'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this