Fluorescent proteins and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) as tools in signaling research.
The advent of fluorescent proteins has revolutionized signaling research, shifting focus from biochemical assays to analysis of live cells, organized tissues and even entire organisms. Modern applications of fluorescent proteins go beyond their use as specific markers of cells or tissues, allowing the researcher to visualize intracellular translocations as well as biochemical reactions. In this mini-review, we summarize the properties of a variety of fluorescent proteins, their detection using fluorescence microscopy and flow analysis, as well as their basic and more advanced applications, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to study signaling dynamics.
Schmid
Johannes A
JA
Center for Biomolecular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department for Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. johannes.schmid@meduniwien.ac.at
Birbach
Andreas
A
D000818:Animals; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D006801:Humans; D049408:Luminescent Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D014162:Transfection
D049408:Luminescent Agents; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins