Small-molecule-based nanoassemblies as inducible nanoprobes for monitoring dynamic molecular interactions inside live cells

Abstract

Seeing into cells: Genetically engineered, labeled ferritin is used to form biological nanoparticles displaying bait (B) and prey (P) molecules inside cells (see picture). Specific bait-prey interactions induce the interconnected assembly of nanoparticles into nanoclusters on a timescale of seconds. This phenotypic readout with a small molecule as an inducible switch was used to directly visualize dynamic molecular interactions within living cells.