Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Biosensor Peptide Phosphorylation in Single Live Cells

Abstract

Better living through biochemistry: Phosphorylation of a Cy5-labeled Abl kinase peptide biosensor resulted in an extension of fluorescence lifetime in live cells. Time-correlated single photon counting fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) enabled excellent signal-to-noise to visualize the subcellular patterns of this sensor (see picture). This strategy should be generalizable to other peptide-based kinase substrates for imaging of kinase activity in single cells.