Pressure-induced changes in the fluorescence behavior of red fluorescent proteins

J Phys Chem B. 2012 Aug 30;116(34):10311-6. doi: 10.1021/jp306093h. Epub 2012 Aug 21.

Abstract

We present an experimental study on the fluorescence behavior of the red fluorescent proteins TagRFP-S, TagRFP-T, mCherry, mOrange2, mStrawberry, and mKO as a function of pressure up to several GPa. TagRFP-S, TagRFP-T, mOrange2, and mStrawberry show an initial increase in fluorescence intensity upon application of pressure above ambient conditions. At higher pressures, the fluorescence intensity decreases dramatically for all proteins under study, probably due to denaturing of the proteins. Small blue shifts in the fluorescence spectra with increasing pressure were seen in all proteins under study, hinting at increased rigidity of the chromophore environment. In addition, mOrange2 and mStrawberry exhibit strong and abrupt changes in their fluorescence spectra at certain pressures. These changes are likely due to structural modifications of the hydrogen bonding environment of the chromophore. The strong differences in behavior between proteins with identical or very similar chromophores highlight how the chromophore environment contributes to pressure-induced behavior of the fluorescence performance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescence*
  • Luminescent Proteins / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pressure
  • Red Fluorescent Protein
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Luminescent Proteins