Green Fluorescent Protein
Green fluorescent protein (GFP), a 27 kDa protein derived from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria, emits green light (emission peak at a wavelength of 509 nm) when excited by blue light (excitation peak at a wavelength of 395 nm). Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) has become an invaluable tool in cell biology research, since its intrinsic fluorescence can be visualized in living cells. GFP fluorescence is stable under fixation conditions and suitable for a variety of applications. GFP has been widely used as a reporter for gene expression, enabling researchers to visualize and localize GFP-tagged proteins within living cells without the need for chemical staining. Other applications of GFP include assessment of protein-protein interactions through the yeast two hybrid system and measurement of distance between proteins through fluorescence energy transfer (FRET) protocols. GFP is used to measure single cell metastasis and successful proliferation of stem cells. In these ways, GFP technology has contributed to a greater understanding of cellular biology and biochemistry.
