Use of fluorescence methods for the study of protein interactions

The diploma thesis "Use of fluorescence methods for the study of protein interactions" is focused on the use of fluorescence methods for the study of protein interactions using electromigration methods and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The aim of this work was to create a bioconjugate of metallothionein (MT) protein with quantum dots (QDs) and commercial dyes. FRET was subsequently studied between these conjugates. QDs were synthesized under UV light and conjugation with MT was performed via a carbodiimide zerolengthcrooss-linker (EDC / sulfo-NHS), which serves to activate carboxyl groups and allows bioconjugation of the ligand by covalent bonding. Due to the high proportion of cysteines in MT, this protein has a very high affinity for metals. It is also involved in scavenging free radicals and there are studies that show that MT is overexpressed in cancer cells. Attention was also paid to the study of MT dimerization, which leads to an understanding of oxidative dimerization of MT and thus can contribute to understanding the formation of free radicals in the body and to deepen the knowledge about neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The formation of the MT dimer was confirmed by energy transfer between the donor (QDs) and the acceptor (commercial dye-cyanine) through the physical phenomenon of FRET and MALDI-TOF-MS