Fluorescent biosensor for 2', 3'-cgamp

Abstract

A single stranded nucleic acid biosensor for 2′, 3′-cGAMP is provided. The single stranded nucleic acid may include a 2′, 3′-cGAMP-binding riboswitch domain comprising a transducer stem and a dye-binding aptamer domain that is operably connected to the transducer stem. A 2′, 3′-cGAMP-binding riboswitch domain. The dye-binding aptamer domain can be a Spinach2 aptamer. The 2′, 3′-cGAMP biosensor may further include a signaling chromophore specifically bound to the Spinach2 aptamer domain, where the sensor is configured to fluorescently activate the signaling chromophore upon specific binding of 2′, 3′-cGAMP to the 2′, 3′-cGAMP-binding riboswitch domain. Also provided are methods in which the subject 2′, 3′-cGAMP biosensors find use including methods for determining the level of cGAS activity in a sample or a cell. Nucleic acid constructs and host cells including the same are also provided.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.