Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Probe To Hypochlorous Acid

Reactive oxygen species(ROS) and reactive nitrogen species(RNS) are known to be essential to several biological functions. Hypochlorous acid(HOCl), one of the biologically import ROS, can react with various biomelecules including DNA, RNA, fatty acids, cholesterol, and proteins. While hypochlorous acid has strong antibacterial properties, excess amounts of HOCl can also cause serious damage to the biological systems. Therefore, a lot of effort has been given to the studies of the various biological effects of HOCl. It has been looking for high-resolution detection of HOCl generation in neutrophilic granulocyte. We use GFP to detect different ROS, and establish high-throughput assays of different ROS. Then we reconstruct many GFP mutants by a genetic engineering method, and obtain a series variant of proteins. Utilizing these high-throughput assays, we get a HOCl-specific probe. Our study show the probe is a powerful tool for detection hypochlorous acid.