Enzyme-Mediated Intercellular Proximity Labeling for Detecting Cell-Cell Interactions

J Am Chem Soc. 2019 Feb 6;141(5):1833-1837. doi: 10.1021/jacs.8b10286. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Abstract

Cell-cell interactions and communications play fundamental roles in life processes but remain largely uncharacterized. We developed an enzyme-mediated proximity cell labeling (EXCELL) strategy as a general method to detect and record cell-cell interactions under living conditions. EXCELL relies on an evolved Staphylococcus aureus transpeptidase sortase A variant (mgSrtA) capable of promiscuous labeling of various cell surface proteins containing a monoglycine residue at the N-terminus. Displaying mgSrtA on the surface of a cell of interest allows the labeling and detection of interacting cells in a proximity-dependent fashion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminoacyltransferases / chemistry
  • Aminoacyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Line
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Staining and Labeling*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / enzymology*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Aminoacyltransferases