Applications of Differential Scanning Fluorometry and Related Technologies in Characterization of Protein-Ligand Interactions

Abstract

Differential scanning fluorometry (DSF) is an efficient and high-throughput method to analyze protein stability, as well as detect ligand interactions through perturbations of the protein's melting temperature. The method monitors protein unfolding by observing the fluorescence changes of a sample, whether through an environmentally sensitive fluorophore or by intrinsic protein fluorescence, while a temperature gradient is applied. Here, we describe in detail how to develop and optimize DSF assays to identify protein-ligand interactions while exploring different buffer and additive conditions. Analysis of the data and further applications of the method are also discussed.

Keywords: DSF; Differential scanning fluorometry; Label-free DSF; NanoDSF; Protein stability; Protein–ligand interaction; Thermal denaturation; Thermal shift assay.