Green fluorescent protein: untapped potential in immunotechnology

Abstract

Many invertebrates produce bioluminescence using green-fluorescent proteins (GFPs) as energy-transfer acceptors. GFPs fluoresce in vivo upon receiving energy from either a luciferase-oxyluciferin excited-state complex or a Ca(2+)-activated photoprotein depending upon the organism. These highly fluorescent proteins are unique due to the chemical nature of their chromophore, which is comprised of modified amino acid residues within the polypeptide chain. Recently GFP was sequenced and cloned. GFP, GFP mutants or related proteins with altered spectra will have widespread use as a markers of gene expression and as a protein tags in cell culture and in multicellular organisms. Many of the uses of fluorescent-labeled proteins or antibodies in immunotechnology will be improved by the use of GFP. Many new applications were discussed at a recent international symposium [1].