Modern fluorescent proteins: From chromophore formation to novel intracellular applications

Olesya V. Stepanenko, Olga V. Stepanenko, Daria M. Shcherbakova, Irina M. Kuznetsova, Konstantin K. Turoverov, Vladislav V. Verkhusha

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

118 Scopus citations

Abstract

The diverse biochemical and photophysical properties of fluorescent proteins (FPs) have enabled the generation of a growing palette of colors, providing unique opportunities for their use in a variety of modern biology applications. Modulation of these FP characteristics is achieved through diversity in both the structure of the chromophore as well as the contacts between the chromophore and the surrounding protein barrel. Here we review our current knowledge of blue, green, and red chromophore formation in permanently emitting FPs, photoactivatable FPs, and fluorescent timers. Progress in understanding the interplay between FP structure and function has allowed the engineering of FPs with many desirable features, and enabled recent advances in microscopy techniques such as super-resolution imaging of single molecules, imaging of protein dynamics, photochromic FRET, deep-tissue imaging, and multicolor two-photon microscopy in live animals.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)313-327
Number of pages15
JournalBioTechniques
Volume51
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2011

Keywords

  • FRET
  • PALM
  • PAmcherry
  • STED
  • STORM
  • Two-photon microscopy
  • mKate

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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