pHSense Reagents

View products & services View resource library

pHSense™ reagents for cellular internalization analysis

Quantify ADC uptake, antibody internalization and GPCR trafficking in live cells

pHSense™ probes are plate reader-compatible reagents with time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) readout, specifically developed to advance cellular internalization studies. Designed for quantitative analysis of antibody, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and receptor internalization, pHSense provides sensitive measurement of cellular uptake, intracellular trafficking and dose-dependent internalization responses in a scalable microplate-based format. This innovative technology reinforces Revvity's commitment to advancing drug discovery workflows.

pHSense probes offer:

Quantitative measurement of antibody, ADC and receptor internalization
High-throughput cellular uptake analysis in microplate format
Superior signal-to-background for pharmacological profiling
Compatible with suspension and adherent cell models

For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Streamlined antibodies and Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) internalization monitoring

Track the trajectory of ADCs with pHSense - from surface binding to lysosomal delivery.

Efficient internalization is a critical determinant of ADC efficacy. pHSense delivers quantitative data on ADC uptake and intracellular trafficking, supporting candidate comparison, target engagement studies and dose-response characterization. Traditional methods like microscopy and flow cytometry often lack sensitivity and involve complex, variable protocols. Revvity's pHSense reagents offer a sensitive, scalable, and no-wash solution for tracking ADC uptake.

Designed to respond to the acidic environment of endosomes and lysosomes, pHSense probes generate a time-resolved fluorescent signal that directly reflects cellular internalization, providing quantitative measurement of ADC uptake in live cells. Using Eu Fab anti-Human IgG, and Eu Fab anti-Mouse IgG2, the assay enables precise detection of antibody and ADC internalization via time-resolved fluorescence (TRF), minimizing background noise and enhancing the signal-to-background ratio.

Compatible with standard TR readers (Envision, Nexus, Victor Nivo), pHSense simplifies workflows and boosts throughput - ideal for reliable, high-sensitivity ADC studies.

Model	HER2-positive cells
ADC tested	Trastuzumab and trastuzumab-derived ADCs
Readout	Time-resolved fluorescence (TRF)
Result	Dose-dependent increase in internalization signal after 3 hours. pHSense quantitatively measures ADC uptake and discriminates specific HER2-mediated internalization.

pHSense Eu internalization assays with Trastuzumab and Trastuzumab-based ADCs: Robust anti-HER2 IgG and ADC derivatives dose-dependent increases of TRF signal were measured at t3h whereas no signal was observed with an irrelevant human IgG1 antibody.

pHSense Eu Fab fragments are versatile tools for ADC internalization studies. They are:

Compatible with a wide range of ADC payloads
Suitable for various linker chemistries
Effective across different Drug-to-Antibody Ratios (DARs)

Explore our pHSense reagents to accelerate your ADC research!

GPCRs and receptor internalization

From binding to signaling to internalization: Cell-based fluorescence assays for GPCR characterization.

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) internalization plays a critical role in regulating receptor availability at the cell surface, contributing to desensitization and controlling the duration and intensity of GPCR-mediated signaling.

Revvity's pHSense assay offers a robust, plate-reader-based solution for monitoring GPCR internalization. Utilizing a pH-sensitive dye, the assay is optimized for kinetic and time-resolved measurements, even at low endogenous expression levels. It enables rapid, high-throughput data generation using standard plate readers, making it ideal for drug discovery workflows.

GLP1R internalization assay in primary INS1E cells:

The pHSense Eu Fab anti-mouse IgG can be used in combination with a neutral anti-GPCR to perform internalization assays in unmodified cells, with endogenous levels of receptor expression.

Principle of GPCR internalization assay in unmodified cells using the pHSense Eu Fab Anti-Mouse IgG and an anti-GPCR.

In this case study, primary INS1E rat pancreatic cells were plated at 25K cells/well and cultivated for 96h. Prior to running the assay, 50nM pHSense Eu Fab anti-mouse was incubated with 25nM anti-GLP1R for 1h at RT. The mix was added to the cells with several concentrations of GLP1R agonist Exendin4 for 1h at RT before reading. The resulting dose-response curve demonstrate pHsense can quantify GLP1R internalization in primary cells.

A similar assay was run using Exendin4 side-by-side with the GLP1R antagonist Exendin9-39 and unstimulated cells. The results showed here show the differential internalization between agonist and antagonist conditions, as well as the fact that antagonist incubation keeps internalization to its constitutive level.

GLP1R internalization in INS1E cells. (A) Exendin4-induced internalization dose-response. (B) Internalization in presence of agonist Exendin4, Antagonist Exendin9-39 and constitutive internalization.

Flexible formats in SNAP and FLAG receptors:

The pHSense SNAP EU Labeling Reagent and the pHSense Eu Anti-FLAG allow to run internalizations assays in cells lines that have been modified to express a GPCR of interest with either tag on the extracellular N-terminal portion of the receptor.

These common tags are often already present in modified GPCR cell lines, or can be added easily via plasmidic transfection, making them a convenient way to design flexible GPCR internalization assay in a cell line of choice.

Explore our pHSense reagents

Hear from our customers

With pHSense, my experience was very positive.

The assay itself was straightforward to set up and run, and I was able to detect a clear, specific signal within just 20 minutes, compared to the 3 hours needed with other probes. The signal-to-noise ratio was greatly improved in my tests, allowing for further flexibility and optimization options. The support provided by the Revvity team was very helpful. Overall, I would recommend pHSense for groups investigating antibody internalisation in adherent cell systems.

Dimitri Sideris

The Discovery Centre (DISC) - AstraZeneca, UK

The pHSense internalization assay has transformed our antibody screening workflow.

Its simplicity and speed are unmatched. We can rapidly evaluate 20+ antibody candidates with dose-response experiments and kinetic profiling in a fraction of the time traditional methods require. The assay is incredibly easy to implement and generates robust data that helps us identify our best internalizing candidates early. For screening applications in antibody and ADC discovery, this is exactly what we need.

Frédéric Delobel

Ridgeline