Solving an X-Ray Structure of a Bio-Artificial Neurotransmitter Receptor Designed for the Naked-Eye Recognition of Dopamine

08 April 2020, Version 2
This content is a preprint and has not undergone peer review at the time of posting.

Abstract

The literature is constellated with a wide variety of chemosensors against a plethora of analytes. This seminal library is used to inspire chemists to improve them using chemical synthesis. However, their optimization via chemical synthesis is a difficult task which takes time without the guarantee of final success.We show here that combinatorial chemistry,the use of first and second coordination spheres and the displacement of indicators united within a protein cavity offers an easy-to-assemble colorimetric bio-chemical sensor. It consists only of commercial chemicals. This colorimetric sensor is highly modular, cheap and evolvable. Its X-ray structure reveals the composition of its active site. This allows to design it rationally for the recognition of dopamine with the naked eye. Our bio-sensor therefore resembles a biological receptor for the recognition of neurotransmitters. Its immediate high adaptability and ability to be evolved can be useful for the selective detection of a wide variety of analytes going from small molecules to microorganisms. This discovery therefore makes it possible to dream of new biotechnological or new immunotherapeutic applications.

Keywords

boronic acid groups
indicator assays
Carbonic Anhydrase
Dopamine
biosensor
second coordination sphere

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