Short-Range Distance Measurement by Transition Metal Ion FRET

Jonas S. Mortensen, Claus J. Loland*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Measurement of atomic-scale conformational dynamics in proteins has proved a challenging endeavor, although these movements are pivotal for understanding the mechanisms behind protein function. Herein we describe a fluorescence-based method that enables the measurement of distances between specific domains within a protein and how it might change during protein function. The method is transition metal ion Förster resonance energy transfer (tmFRET) and builds on the principle that the fluorescence emission from a fluorophore can be quenched in a distance-dependent manner by a colored transition metal such as nickel (Ni2+), copper (Cu2+), or cobalt (Co2+). It can be applied to literally any protein where it is possible to perform site-specific incorporation of a fluorescent molecule. This chapter will explain the use and applications of tmFRET in detail using incorporation of the dye with cysteine chemistry on a purified protein sample.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBiophysics of membrane proteins
Number of pages13
PublisherHumana Press
Publication date2020
Pages299-311
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020
SeriesMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume2168
ISSN1064-3745

Keywords

  • Conformational dynamics
  • Cysteine chemistry
  • Fluorescence spectroscopy
  • Förster resonance energy transfer
  • Intramolecular distance measurements
  • Protein purification
  • Transition metals

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