Ultrasensitive Genetically Encoded Indicator for Hydrogen Peroxide Identifies Roles for the Oxidant in Cell Migration and Mitochondrial Function

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a key redox intermediate generated within cells. Existing probes for H2O2 have not solved the problem of detection of the ultra-low concentrations of the oxidant: these reporters are not sensitive enough, or pH-dependent, or insufficiently bright, or not functional in mammalian cells, or have poor dynamic range. Here we present HyPer7, the first bright, pH-stable, ultrafast, and ultrasensitive ratiometric H2O2 probe. HyPer7 is fully functional in mammalian cells and in other higher eukaryotes. The probe consists of a circularly permuted GFP integrated into the ultrasensitive OxyR domain from Neisseria meningitidis. Using HyPer7, we were able to uncover the details of H2O2 diffusion from the mitochondrial matrix, to find a functional output of H2O2 gradients in polarized cells, and to prove the existence of H2O2 gradients in wounded tissue in vivo. Overall, HyPer7 is a probe of choice for real-time H2O2 imaging in various biological contexts.