Carpenter Margaret C, Lo Maria N, Palmer Amy E
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, United States.
Arch Biochem Biophys. 2016 Dec 1;611:20-29. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2016.08.018. Epub 2016 Aug 28.
The development and improvement of fluorescent Zn sensors and Zn imaging techniques have increased our insight into this biologically important ion. Application of these tools has identified an intracellular labile Zn pool and cultivated further interest in defining the distribution and dynamics of labile Zn. The study of Zn in live cells in real time using sensors is a powerful way to answer complex biological questions. In this review, we highlight newly engineered Zn sensors, methods to test whether the sensors are accessing labile Zn, and recent studies that point to the challenges of using such sensors. Elemental mapping techniques can complement and strengthen data collected with sensors. Both mass spectrometry-based and X-ray fluorescence-based techniques yield highly specific, sensitive, and spatially resolved snapshots of metal distribution in cells. The study of Zn has already led to new insight into all phases of life from fertilization of the egg to life-threatening cancers. In order to continue building new knowledge about Zn biology it remains important to critically assess the available toolset for this endeavor.
荧光锌传感器及锌成像技术的发展与改进，增进了我们对这种具有生物学重要性的离子的了解。这些工具的应用已识别出细胞内不稳定锌池，并进一步激发了人们对确定不稳定锌的分布和动态的兴趣。使用传感器实时研究活细胞中的锌，是回答复杂生物学问题的有力方法。在本综述中，我们重点介绍新设计的锌传感器、测试传感器是否能检测到不稳定锌的方法，以及近期指出使用此类传感器所面临挑战的研究。元素映射技术可以补充和强化通过传感器收集的数据。基于质谱和基于X射线荧光的技术都能产生细胞中金属分布的高度特异性、灵敏且具有空间分辨率的快照。对锌的研究已经为从卵子受精到危及生命的癌症等生命的各个阶段带来了新的见解。为了继续积累有关锌生物学的新知识，批判性地评估用于此研究的现有工具集仍然很重要。
