A Fast Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Sensor for Faithful  in vivo Acetylcholine Detection in Mice, Fish, Worms and Flies

Abstract

Here we design and optimize a genetically encoded fluorescent indicator, iAChSnFR, for the ubiquitous neurotransmitter acetylcholine, based on a bacterial periplasmic binding protein. iAChSnFR shows large fluorescence changes, rapid rise and decay kinetics, and insensitivity to most cholinergic drugs. iAChSnFR revealed large transients in a variety of slice and  in vivo preparations in mouse, fish, fly and worm. iAChSnFR will be useful for the study of acetylcholine in all organisms.

Keywords: acetylcholine, functional imaging, genetically encoded sensor, neurotransmitter imaging, fluorescence imaging, in vivo imaging, protein engineering, mouse, fish, Drosophila, C. elegans