University of Kentucky Research Foundation

Laura Rowe

Sapna Kamlakar Deo

Kendrick Turner

Smita Joel

Emre Dikici

The presently-disclosed subject matter provides biosensors for detecting molecules of interest. The biosensors include a polypeptide capable of selectively-binding glucose, wherein the polypeptide molecule is selected from: an unnatural analogue of wild type glucose binding protein; a fragment of wild type glucose binding protein; and an unnatural analogue fragment of wild type glucose binding protein.

Polypeptides, systems, and methods useful for detecting glucose

The invention relates to aequorin and obelin mutants whose emission is shifted with respect to wild type. The shift in emission is accomplished using a combination of mutations of amino acids within aequorin or obelin that affect bioluminescence; use of different types of chromophores, i.e., coelenterazines with variable emission characteristics; and modifications of the photoprotein with fluorophores that will allow for emission of light at longer wavelengths as a result of energy transfer. Additionally, an assay employing aequorin mutants to test for HIV-1 protease inhibitors is disclosed.

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Harrodsburg, KY, United States of America

Laura Rowe