Supercharged fluorescent proteins detect lanthanides via direct antennae signaling

Kevin Y. Huang, Lizette Cardenas, Andrew D. Ellington and David J. F. Walker ()
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Kevin Y. Huang: Army Research Laboratory−South
Lizette Cardenas: University of Texas at Austin
Andrew D. Ellington: University of Texas at Austin
David J. F. Walker: University of Texas at Austin

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract A sustainable operation for harvesting metals in the lanthanide series is needed to meet the rising demand for rare earth elements across diverse global industries. However, existing methods are limited in their capacity for detection and capture at environmentally and industrially relevant lanthanide concentrations. Supercharged fluorescent proteins have solvent-exposed, negatively charged residues that potentially create multiple direct chelation pockets for free lanthanide cations. Here, we demonstrate that negatively supercharged proteins can bind and quantitatively report concentrations of lanthanides via an underutilized lanthanide-to-chromophore pathway of energy transfer. The top-performing sensors detect lanthanides in the micromolar to millimolar range and remain unperturbed by environmentally significant concentrations of competing metals. As a demonstration of the versatility and adaptability of this energy transfer method, we show proximity and signal transmission between the lanthanides and a supramolecular assembly of supercharged proteins, paving the way for the detection of lanthanides via programmable protein oligomers and materials.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53106-7

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