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The conformation of calmodulin (CaM) changes from closed configuration to open one, converting to a claviform dumbbell-shaped biomolecule upon Ca2+-binding. A hybrid probe of graphene oxide (GO) cationic conjugated polymer for detection of the conformation transition of CaM by using FRET technique is demonstrated. The stronger hydrophobic interaction and weaker electrostatic repulsion leads to more CaM adsorption to the surface of GO upon binding with Ca2+ than that of CaM in the absence of Ca2+ (apoCaM), resulting in much farther proximity between poly[(9,9-bis(6′- N, N, N-trimethy­lammonium)hexyl)-fluorenylene phenylene dibromide] (PFP) and green fluorescent protein labeled at the N-terminus of CaM and therefore much weaker FRET efficiency for PFP/Ca2+/CaM in comparison with that of PFP/apoCaM in the presence of GO. Notably, the assembly of CaM with GO is quantitatively and reversibly controlled by Ca2+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and unconventional hybrid material consisting of graphene oxide (GO) and positively charged organic polymer for detection of the conformation transition of calmodulin by using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique is developed on page 4412 by C. Xing, Y. Zhan, S. Wang, and co‐workers. This effort provides first example of how FRET technique can be used with GO and optical functional materials to detect CaM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]