Magnetic control of the brightness of fluorescent proteins

Zenodo · 2024 · Mixed · Very low evidence

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MixedVery low evidencePaper 6856

The report states that modest magnetic fields (~10 mT) altered the brightness of GFP-like fluorescent proteins when an appropriate cofactor was present, with a weak response around ΔF/F≈1%. It also reports weak magnetoresponse in a LOV-domain protein and an u…

Study snapshot

PublicationZenodo · 2024

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

We've discovered a simple, nontoxic, biocompatible way to control the brightness of GFP-like fluorescent proteins via modest magnetic fields (~10 mT). Fluorescent proteins which seem magnetically inert (e.g. EGFP, mScarlet) become magnetoresponsive in the presence of an appropriate cofactor (e.g. EGFP-FlavinTag, or an mScarlet/FMN solution). This method works at room-temperature and body-temperature, in vitro, in E. coli and in cultured mammalian cells. The GFP-family magnetoresponse is weak (ΔF/F≈1%), but shows the hallmarks of evolvability. This suggests exciting technological possibilities, both short-term (e.g. lock-in detection, multiplexing) and long-term (e.g. optically-detected MRI, magnetogenetics). We've also discovered weak magnetoresponse from a member of the LOV-domain family. This suggests the possibility that magnetoresponse is a general feature of fluorescent proteins, and not unique to the cryptochrome/photolyase family. UPDATE: We've increased the magnetoresponse of AsLOV2 via directed evolution, yielding a protein (MagLOV) with a remarkably large ΔF/F≈75%. We consider MagLOV to be the most promising candidate ancestor for magnetogenetic tools.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationFluorescent proteins studied in vitro, in E. coli, and in cultured mammalian cells

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposureother

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 76% · Peer reviewed: no

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Fluorescent protein brightness (magnetoresponse, ΔF/F)
Magnetic-field-dependent fluorescence changes in GFP-like proteins and LOV-domain proteins

Limitations

Hosted on Zenodo rather than a journal article in the provided metadata
No sample size reported in the abstract
No detailed methods, controls, or statistical results reported in the abstract
Findings span multiple systems (in vitro, E. coli, cultured mammalian cells) without quantitative breakdown in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "other",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Fluorescent proteins studied in vitro, in E. coli, and in cultured mammalian cells",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Fluorescent protein brightness (magnetoresponse, ΔF/F)",
    "Magnetic-field-dependent fluorescence changes in GFP-like proteins and LOV-domain proteins"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The report states that modest magnetic fields (~10 mT) altered the brightness of GFP-like fluorescent proteins when an appropriate cofactor was present, with a weak response around ΔF/F≈1%. It also reports weak magnetoresponse in a LOV-domain protein and an updated directed-evolution result for AsLOV2 (MagLOV) with a larger reported response of ΔF/F≈75%.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Hosted on Zenodo rather than a journal article in the provided metadata",
    "No sample size reported in the abstract",
    "No detailed methods, controls, or statistical results reported in the abstract",
    "Findings span multiple systems (in vitro, E. coli, cultured mammalian cells) without quantitative breakdown in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.76,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "no",
  "keywords": [
    "magnetic fields",
    "fluorescent proteins",
    "GFP",
    "EGFP",
    "mScarlet",
    "FlavinTag",
    "FMN",
    "LOV domain",
    "AsLOV2",
    "MagLOV",
    "magnetoresponse",
    "in vitro",
    "E. coli",
    "cultured mammalian cells"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: Not supplied

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