Chromophore formation in GFP: computational modeling of the immature form of wild-type GFP

Nathan P. Lemay; Marc Zimmer

doi:10.1117/12.708281

14 February 2007 Chromophore formation in GFP: computational modeling of the immature form of wild-type GFP

Nathan P. Lemay, Marc Zimmer

Proceedings Volume 6449, Genetically Engineered and Optical Probes for Biomedical Applications IV; 644916 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.708281
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2007, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

The main reason green fluorescent protein (GFP) is so useful in molecular imaging is the fact that its chromophore is formed autocatalytically. We have been using molecular mechanics to examine chromophore formation since 1995 that is well before the first crystal structures of GFP were solved. Our calculations have resulted in a number of predictions that have been borne out by subsequent experiments and a number of them that haven't. Recently we have been supplementing these calculations with calculations based on the crystal structures of immature GFP mutants (i.e. the precyclized form). Preliminary results from these calculations have shown that immature GFP does form a tight-turn in the chromophore forming region, and that chromophore cyclization is probably catalyzed in the manner proposed by Getzoff et al (Biochemistry 44: 1960-1970, 2005).

Citation Download Citation

Nathan P. Lemay and Marc Zimmer "Chromophore formation in GFP: computational modeling of the immature form of wild-type GFP", Proc. SPIE 6449, Genetically Engineered and Optical Probes for Biomedical Applications IV, 644916 (14 February 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.708281

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available