A Dual Parameter FRET Probe for Measuring PKC and PKA Activity in Living Cells

Cell function is regulated by complex and often interdependent networks of signaling molecules. To accurately describe these networks, it is important to monitor multiple signals in parallel. To this end, we have developed a genetically encoded, FRET-based probe that independently monitors both protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) activity in vivo. Artificial as well as physiological stimulants produced a negative or positive change in FRET efficiency following PKA or PKC activation, respectively. Mutations of the phosphate-accepting amino acids of the PKC substrate yielded a probe that was sensitive to PKA activation alone.