Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-00452

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png A Novel Biosensor for Ferrous Iron Developed via CoBiSe: A Computational Method for Rapid Biosensor Design

Papadopoulos, A. ; Anlauf, M. T. ; Reiners, J. ; Paik, S.-H. ; Krüger, A. ; Lückel, B. ; Bott, M. ; Drepper, T. ; Frunzke, J. ; Gohlke, H. ; Weidtkamp-Peters, S. ; Smits, S. H. J. (Corresponding author) ; Gertzen, C. G. W. (Corresponding author)

2026
ACS Publications Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1021/acssensors.5c02481  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2026-00452

Abstract: Genetically encoded biosensors enable the monitoring of metabolite dynamics in living organisms. We present CoBiSe, a computational biosensor design approach using Constraint Network Analysis to identify optimal insertion sites for reporter modules in molecular recognition elements (MREs). Applied to the iron-binding protein DtxR from Corynebacterium glutamicum, CoBiSe identified a flexible connective loop (residues 138–150) for inserting the reporter module, resulting in IronSenseR, a novel ratiometric biosensor for ferrous iron (Fe2+). IronSenseR demonstrates high specificity for Fe2+ with dissociation constants of 1.78 ± 0.03 (FeSO4) and 2.90 ± 0.12 μM (FeCl2), while showing no binding to Fe3+ and other divalent cations. In vivo assessment in Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, and Corynebacterium glutamicum confirmed IronSenseR’s capability to detect changes in the intracellular iron pool. The creation of IronSenseR underlines that by reducing search space and eliminating labor-intensive screening, CoBiSe streamlines biosensor development and enables precise creation of next-generation biosensors for diverse metabolites.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. EMBL-User (EMBL-User)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
2. SFB 1535 Z05 - Zentrale Koordination des SFB MibiNet (Z05) (515892696) (515892696)
3. DFG project 458090666 - SFB 1535: Mikrobielle Netzwerke – von Organellen bis hin zu Reich-übergreifenden Lebensgemeinschaften (458090666) (458090666)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P12 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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