The world's first wiki where authorship really matters (Nature Genetics, 2008). Due credit and reputation for authors. Imagine a global collaborative knowledge base for original thoughts. Search thousands of articles and collaborate with scientists around the globe.

wikigene or wiki gene protein drug chemical gene disease author authorship tracking collaborative publishing evolutionary knowledge reputation system wiki2.0 global collaboration genes proteins drugs chemicals diseases compound
Hoffmann, R. A wiki for the life sciences where authorship matters. Nature Genetics (2008)
 
 
 
 
 

Creation of GPCR-based chemical sensors by directed evolution in yeast.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form a class of biological chemical sensors with an enormous diversity in ligand binding and sensitivity. To explore structural aspects of ligand recognition, we subjected the human UDP-glucose receptor (P2Y14) functionally expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces to directed evolution. We sought to generate new receptor subtypes with ligand-binding properties that would be useful in the development of practical biosensors. Mutagenesis of the entire UDP-glucose receptor gene yielded receptors with increased activity but similar ligand specificities, while random mutagenesis of residues in the immediate vicinity of the ligand-binding pocket yielded mutants with altered ligand specificity. By first sensitizing the P2Y14 receptor and then redirecting ligand specificity, we were able to create mutant receptors suitable for a simple biosensor. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of altering receptor ligand-binding properties via a directed evolution strategy, using standard yeast genetic techniques. The novel receptor mutants can be used to detect chemical ligands in complex mixtures and to discriminate among chemically or stereochemically related compounds. Specifically, we demonstrate how engineered receptors can be applied in a pairwise manner to differentiate among several chemical analytes that would be indistinguishable with a single receptor. These experiments demonstrate the feasibility of a combinatorial approach to detector design based on the principles of olfaction.[1]

References

  1. Creation of GPCR-based chemical sensors by directed evolution in yeast. Ault, A.D., Broach, J.R. Protein Eng. Des. Sel. (2006) [Pubmed]
 
WikiGenes - Universities