How Does the Environment Affect the Absorption Spectrum of the Fluorescent Protein mKeima?

The absorption spectrum of a fluorescent protein is determined by its chromophore, but the residues that surround it also have a remarkable role, leading to noticeable spectral shifts. We have theoretically analyzed the monomeric protein Keima (mKeima), a red fluorescent protein most remarkable for an outstanding difference between the absorption and emission frequencies, and potentially suited for multicolor imaging applications. In the present work, we have performed excited state electronic calculations on the chromophore with an increasing number of atoms surrounding it, and we have compared these results with the excited states calculations on an ensemble of structures obtained from a molecular dynamics simulation of the complete protein. The importance of the inclusion of the effects of the whole protein in the electronic calculations has been proved, and it is concluded that only with the consideration of the thermal effects can the absorption spectra of the protein be properly characterized.