A genetically encoded fluorescent sensor for manganese(II), engineered from lanmodulin

The design of selective metal-binding sites is a challenge in both small-molecule and macromolecular chemistry. Selective recognition of manganese (II)—the first-row transition metal ion that tends to bind with the lowest affinity to ligands, as described by the Irving-Williams series—is particularly difficult. As a result, there is a dearth of chemical biology tools with which to study manganese physiology in live cells, which would advance understanding of photosynthesis, host-pathogen interactions, and neurobiology. Here we report the rational re-engineering of the lanthanide-binding protein, lanmodulin, into genetically encoded fluorescent sensors for Mn^II, MnLaMP1 and MnLaMP2. These sensors with effective K_d(Mn^II) of 29 and 7 µM, respectively, defy the Irving-Williams series to selectively detect Mn^II in vitro and in vivo. We apply both sensors to visualize kinetics of bacterial labile manganese pools. Biophysical studies indicate the importance of coordinated solvent and hydrophobic interactions in the sensors’ selectivity. Our results establish lanmodulin as a versatile scaffold for design of selective protein-based biosensors and chelators for metals beyond the f-block.