Biosensor for detection and visualisation of single-stranded DNA

1. A labeled protein comprising one of the following sequences:

amino acids 2-178 of SEQ ID NO: 1 wherein at least one amino acid of positions 27, 89 or 93 is substituted with a fluorescently labeled cysteine;

amino acids 2-162 of SEQ ID NO: 7 wherein at least one amino acid of positions 27 and 89 is substituted with a fluorescently labeled cysteine;

amino acids 2-175 of SEQ ID NO: 8 wherein at least one amino acid of positions 27 and 89 is substituted with a fluorescently labeled cysteine;

amino acids 2-170 of SEQ ID NO: 9 wherein at least one amino acid of positions 23 and 82 is substituted with a fluorescently labeled cysteine;

amino acids 2-152 of SEQ ID NO: 10 wherein at least one amino acid of positions 22 and 83 is substituted with a fluorescently labeled cysteine;

amino acids 2-162 of SEQ ID NO: 11 wherein at least one amino acid of positions 26 and 88 is substituted with a fluorescently labeled cysteine; and

amino acids 2-179 of SEQ ID NO: 12 wherein at least one amino acid of positions 23 and 82 is substituted with a fluorescently labeled cysteine;

and wherein the fluorescent label emits a signal that is greater when the labeled protein is bound to single-stranded DNA as compared to when the labeled protein is not bound to single-stranded DNA.

2. The labeled protein according to claim 1 , wherein the labeled protein has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4.

3. The labeled protein of claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent label is a coumarin.

4. The labeled protein of claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent label is a rhodamine.

5. The labeled protein according to claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent label is selected from the group consisting of N-[2-(iodoacetamido)ethyl]-7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-carboxamide, 2-(4′maleimidylanilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid, N-[2-(1-maleimidyl)ethyl]-7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-carboxamide, Alexa Fluor 488, Alexa Fluor 546 and 6-iodoacetamidotetramethylrhodamine.

6. The labeled protein according to claim 5 , wherein the fluorescent label is 2-(4′maleimidylanilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid.

7. The labeled protein according to claim 5 , wherein the fluorescent label is 6-iodoacetamidotetramethylrhodamine.

8. A method for detecting single stranded DNA in a sample comprising the steps of:

(i) mixing a sample comprising single stranded DNA with the labeled protein of claim 1 , and

(ii) detecting a change in the signal from the labeled protein arising from an interaction between the single stranded DNA and the labeled protein and thereby detecting single stranded DNA in the sample.

9. A method of screening for an inhibitor of a DNA processing enzyme

comprising

contacting the labeled protein of claim 1 with a cell in the presence of compound and measuring a first single stranded DNA level,

contacting the labeled protein with a cell in the absence of the compound and measuring a second single stranded DNA level, and

comparing the first single stranded DNA level to the second single stranded DNA level, wherein if the second single stranded DNA level is greater than the first single stranded DNA level, then the compound is an inhibitor of a DNA processing enzyme.