In vivo detection and quantification of chemicals that enhance protein stability.

We have devised protein-folding sensors that link protein stability to TEM-1 β–lactamase activity. The addition of osmolytes and other compounds with chemical chaperone activity to the growth medium of bacteria containing these sensors increases β–lactamase activity up to 207-fold in a dose-dependent manner. This enables the rapid detection and sensitive quantification of compounds that enhance in vivo protein stability.