Protein labeling with fluorogenic probes for no-wash live-cell imaging of proteins

Protein labeling by using a protein tag and its specific fluorescent probe is increasingly becoming a useful technique for the real-time imaging of proteins in living cells. Recently, fluorogenic probes for protein labeling were developed. When using these probes, a washing step is not required for the removal of free probes from the cells, thus, allowing rapid detection of proteins in living cells with high signal-to-noise ratio. Various chemical principles have been applied in the designing of probes to include a turn-on fluorescence switch that is activated by the protein labeling reaction. In this review, we describe about the design strategy of the probes and the advances in fluorogenic protein labeling systems.