Renaturation of Aequorea green-fluorescent protein

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-291X(81)91599-0Get rights and content

Abstract

Renaturation of Aequorea green-fluorescent protein (A-GFP) was achieved for the first time following denaturation in guanidine-HCl or acid. Denaturation was accompanied by the concerted loss of visible fluorescence, alteration of absorption characteristics, and large negative deflection of CD signal in the far UV. Dialysis of a guanidine-denatured sample at pH 8 resulted in 64% renaturation (return to native absorption) and neutralization of an acid-denatured sample restored 90% of the native absorption. Renatured GFP is highly fluorescent and indistinguishable from native GFP with respect to the shape of excitation and emission spectra. Both native and denatured proteins exhibit resistance to trypsin hydrolysis and have identically broad pH and heat stability profiles, all of which suggest full renaturation.

References (19)

  • W.W. Ward
  • W.W. Ward et al.

    Methods Enzymol

    (1978)
  • O. Shimomura

    FEBS Lett

    (1979)
  • C. Tanford

    Adv. Prot. Chem

    (1968)
  • W.W. Ward
  • W.W. Ward et al.

    J. Biol. Chem

    (1978)
  • H. Morise et al.

    Biochemistry

    (1974)
  • J.E. Wampler et al.

    Biochemistry

    (1971)
  • J.G. Morin et al.

    J. Cell. Physiol

    (1971)
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (272)

  • Green fluorescent protein inspired fluorophores

    2020, Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
    Citation Excerpt :

    The chromophore is stabilized by extensive hydrogen-bonding that is laced by residues from the β-barrel, protecting the chromophore from the effects of the bulk solvent [18]. Protein folding is essential for fluorescence since denatured GFP is nonfluorescent and GFP fluoresce again upon renaturation [19,20]. The green fluorescence originates from the autocatalytic cyclization of the chromophore (S65, Y66, and G67).

View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text