title: Selective destruction of protein function by chromophore-assisted laser inactivation.
abstract: Chromophore-assisted laser inactivation of protein function has been achieved. After a protein binds a specific ligand or antibody conjugated with malachite green (C.I. 42,000), it is selectively inactivated by laser irradiation at a wavelength of light absorbed by the dye but not significantly absorbed by cellular components. Ligand-bound proteins in solution and on the surfaces of cells can be denatured without other proteins in the same samples being affected. Chromophore-assisted laser inactivation can be used to study cell surface phenomena by inactivating the functions of single proteins on living cells, a molecular extension of cellular laser ablation. It has an advantage over genetics and the use of specific inhibitors in that the protein function of a single cell within the organism can be inactivated by focusing the laser beam.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Jay
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004396:Coloring Agents; D007834:Lasers; D008024:Ligands; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D008024:Ligands; D011506:Proteins; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; C005095:malachite green