Ultramarine, a chromoprotein acceptor for Förster resonance energy transfer

PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e41028. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041028. Epub 2012 Jul 16.

Abstract

We have engineered a monomeric blue non-fluorescent chromoprotein called Ultramarine (fluorescence quantum yield, 0.001; ε(585 nm), 64,000 M(-1) x cm(-1)) for use as a Förster resonance energy transfer acceptor for a number of different donor fluorescent proteins. We show its use for monitoring activation of caspase 3 in live cells using fluorescence lifetime imaging. Ultramarine has the potential to increase the number of cellular parameters that can be imaged simultaneously.

MeSH terms

  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Chromatography / methods
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / instrumentation*
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / methods
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / chemistry
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Microscopy / methods
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Ultracentrifugation / methods

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Caspase 3