Imaging bacterial protein expression using genetically encoded RNA sensors

Abstract

The difficulties in imaging the dynamics of protein expression in live bacterial cells can be overcome by using fluorescent sensors based on Spinach, an RNA that activates the fluorescence of a small-molecule fluorophore. These RNAs selectively bind target proteins and exhibit fluorescence increases that enable protein expression to be imaged in living Escherichia coli. These sensors are key components of a generalizable strategy to image protein expression in a single bacterium in real time.