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Advances in fluorescent protein technology.

Nathan C Shaner1, George H Patterson, Michael W Davidson

  • 1The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. shaner@salk.edu

Journal of Cell Science
|December 7, 2007
PubMed
Summary
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Researchers are advancing fluorescent proteins (FPs) for better imaging, developing new colors and faster maturation. Photoactivatable FPs show promise for live-cell dynamics and super-resolution microscopy.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Microscopy

Background:

  • Current fluorescent protein (FP) research focuses on enhancing photophysical properties of existing blue-to-yellow variants derived from Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP).
  • Efforts also target developing monomeric FPs from diverse organisms, expanding emission into the yellow-orange to far-red spectrum.
  • Near-infrared emitting FPs represent a future frontier in FP development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and summarize current strategies in fluorescent protein development.
  • To highlight advancements in monomeric FP engineering and their spectral range.
  • To discuss the emerging role of photoactivatable FPs in cellular dynamics and super-resolution microscopy.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of current literature on fluorescent protein engineering and applications.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Review of strategies for optimizing photophysical properties (e.g., brightness, photostability).
  • Examination of methods for developing monomeric and spectrally diverse FPs.

    • Main Results:

    • Substantial progress has been made in refining blue to yellow fluorescent proteins (e.g., BFP, CFP, GFP, YFP).
    • Numerous bright, monomeric red FP candidates have emerged, though none are universally optimal.
    • Photoactivatable FPs are proving valuable for studying intracellular dynamics and enabling super-resolution microscopy.

    Conclusions:

    • Fluorescent protein development continues to yield improved variants with enhanced properties.
    • The quest for optimal red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins is ongoing.
    • Photoactivatable FPs offer novel capabilities for advanced biological imaging techniques.