LABELED PEPTIDES, PROTEINS AND ANTIBODIES AND PROCESSES AND INTERMEDIATES USEFUL FOR THEIR PREPARATION

摘要

The invention provides peptide synthons having protected functional groups f or attachment of desired moieties (e.g. functional molecules or probes). Also provided are peptide conjugates prepared from such synthons, and synthon and conjugate preparation methods including procedures for identifying optimum probe attachment sites. Biosensors are provided having functional molecules that can locate and bind to specific biomolecules within living cells. Biosensors can detect chemical and physiological changes in those biomolecul es as living cells are moving, metabolizing and reacting to its environment. Methods are included for detecting GTP activation of a Pho GTP are protein using polypeptide biosensors. When the biosensor binds GTP-activated Rho GTPase protein, an environmentally sensitive dye emits a signal of a differe nt lifetime, intensity or wavelength than when not bound. New fluorophores whos e fluorescence responds to environmental changes are also provided that have improved detection and attachment properties, and that can be used in living cells, or in vitro.