AsianScientist (Dec. 21, 2015) – Researcher’s at Japan’s Tohoku University have created new technique for visualizing the dynamics of nitrate (NO3–) and nitrite (NO2–), both markers of nitric oxide in a cell. The research, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, may be useful in agricultural research and the discovery of new drugs.
Nitric oxide is a critical second messenger in the body, playing roles in vascular homeostasis, neurotransmission and host defense.
The new technology is called sNOOOpy which stands for ‘sensor for NO3–/NO2– in physiology.’ sNOOOpy is a genetically encoded intermolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based indicator that senses levels of nitrate and nitrite. sNOOOpy utilizes the NO3–/NO2–-responsive two-component system of NasS and NasT system in the root nodule bacterium Bradyhizobium japonicum.
Using in vitro and cell culture studies, the researchers, led by Professor Takafumi Uchida, demonstrated that sNOOOpy can monitor intracellular levels in the micromolar range of nitrate and nitrite in real time.
The researchers suggest that sNOOOpy is simple and potentially applicable to a wide variety of living cells. They also expect it to provide insights into NO3–/NO2– dynamics in various organisms, including plants and animals.
The article can be found at: Hidaka et al. (2015) Visualization of NO3–/NO2– Dynamics in Living cells by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Imaging Employing a Rhizobial Two-Component Regulatory System.
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Source: Tohoku University.
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