The present invention relates to methods for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising the steps of obtaining a nanopore sensor comprising a nanopore and a protein adaptor internalized in the lumen of the nanopore, adding a sample comprising an analyte to the cis side or the trans side of the nanopore, and measuring conductance across the nanopore, wherein a change in conductance after adding the sample indicates the analyte is present in the sample and has bound to the protein adaptor. The present invention equally relates to nanopore sensors comprising a nanopore and a protein adaptor internalized in the lumen of the nanopore. Herein the protein adaptor is a functional enzyme or ligand-binding protein