Fluorescent Proteins: Nature’s Colorful Gifts for Live Cell Imaging

摘要: Fluorescence of marine organisms has fascinated researchers since the early twentieth century. The successful application green fluorescent protein (GFP) from jellyfish Aequorea victoria in 1994 as genetically encoded marker resulted a massive increase interest for naturally proteins. Methods are now established that allow fast isolation new genes encoding GFP-like proteins creatures, resulting an impressive array glowing with different biochemical and optical properties. Protein engineering been applied to render natural variants into advanced tools live cell imaging, promoting studies localization movement, gene activity, sensing intra- extracellular condition, tracking whole cells organisms. Finally, photoactivatable were discovered enable pulse-chase experiments imaging resolution beyond diffraction barrier microscopy. Phylogenetic sequence analyses revealed interesting details about molecular evolution these including convergent colors. Marine organisms, especially corals, still harbor huge number pigments, majority which yet be studied. Consequently, further important discoveries useful can expected future.