scholarly journals Expression of a Malassezia Codon Optimized mCherry Fluorescent Protein in a Bicistronic Vector

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joleen P. Z. Goh ◽  
Giuseppe Ianiri ◽  
Joseph Heitman ◽  
Thomas L. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Bicistronic Vector

scholarly journals Construction and Co-expression of Bicistronic Plasmid Encoding Human WEE1 and Stem Cell Factor

2005 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-112
Author(s):  
Ping Lei ◽  
Wen-Han Li ◽  
Wen-Jun Liao ◽  
Bing Yu ◽  
Hui-Fen Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Stem Cell Factor ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Bicistronic Vector ◽  
Cd34 Cells

Abstract To protect the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from apoptosis induced by chemotherapy and promote HSC proliferation, bi-functional gene delivery systems are increasingly investigated in gene therapy. In the present study, we constructed a bicistronic vector, pWISG, expressing the anti-apoptotic protein human WEE1 (WEE1Hu) and the fusion protein of the proliferation-stimulating stem cell factor (SCF) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) separately with internal ribosome entry site (IRES). We first examined the expression and location of WEE1Hu in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and showed that WEE1Hu was located in the nucleus, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. We determined the expression and receptor-binding ability of the SCF-EGFP fusion protein on CD34+ cells, which were proved by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry, respectively. Furthermore, inhibition of cisplatin-induced apoptosis was observed in CD34+ cells transfected with pWISG, which implies that protection for CD34+ cells was achieved via WEE1Hu and SCF-EGFP. Our study suggests that the introduction of two functional genes via bicistronic vector is more powerful and efficient than single gene therapy.

scholarly journals Expression of a Malassezia codon optimized mCherry fluorescent protein in a bicistronic vector

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joleen P.Z. Goh ◽  
Giuseppe Ianiri ◽  
Joseph Heitman ◽  
Thomas L. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Localization ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Targeted Mutagenesis ◽  
Peptide Sequence ◽  
Selection Marker ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Haploid Strain ◽  
2A Peptide ◽  
Bicistronic Vector

AbstractThe use of fluorescent proteins allows a multitude of approaches from live imaging and fixed cells to labelling of whole organisms, making it a foundation of diverse experiments. Tagging a protein of interest or specific cell type allows visualization and studies of cell localization, cellular dynamics, physiology, and structural characteristics. In specific instances fluorescent fusion proteins may not be properly functional as a result of structural changes that hinder protein function, or when overexpressed may be cytotoxic and disrupt normal biological processes. In our study, we describe application of a bicistronic vector incorporating a Picornavirus 2A peptide sequence between a NAT antibiotic selection marker and mCherry. This allows expression of multiple genes from a single open reading frame and production of discrete protein products through a cleavage event within the 2A peptide. We demonstrate integration of this bicistronic vector into a model Malassezia species, the haploid strain M. furfur CBS 14141, with both active selection, high fluorescence, and proven proteolytic cleavage. Potential applications of this technology can include protein functional studies, Malassezia cellular localization, and co-expression of genes required for targeted mutagenesis.

Fluorescent proteins for in vivo imaging, where's the biliverdin?

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 2657-2667
Author(s):  
Felipe Montecinos-Franjola ◽  
John Y. Lin ◽  
Erik A. Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
In Vivo Imaging ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Fluorescent Imaging ◽  
Infrared Light ◽  
Red Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Color Palette

Noninvasive fluorescent imaging requires far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for deeper imaging. Near-infrared light penetrates biological tissue with blood vessels due to low absorbance, scattering, and reflection of light and has a greater signal-to-noise due to less autofluorescence. Far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins absorb light >600 nm to expand the color palette for imaging multiple biosensors and noninvasive in vivo imaging. The ideal fluorescent proteins are bright, photobleach minimally, express well in the desired cells, do not oligomerize, and generate or incorporate exogenous fluorophores efficiently. Coral-derived red fluorescent proteins require oxygen for fluorophore formation and release two hydrogen peroxide molecules. New fluorescent proteins based on phytochrome and phycobiliproteins use biliverdin IXα as fluorophores, do not require oxygen for maturation to image anaerobic organisms and tumor core, and do not generate hydrogen peroxide. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP) was evolved from a cyanobacterial phycobiliprotein to covalently attach biliverdin as an exogenous fluorophore. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein is biophysically as bright as the enhanced green fluorescent protein, is exceptionally photostable, used for biosensor development, and visible in living mice. Novel applications of smURFP include in vitro protein diagnostics with attomolar (10−18 M) sensitivity, encapsulation in viral particles, and fluorescent protein nanoparticles. However, the availability of biliverdin limits the fluorescence of biliverdin-attaching fluorescent proteins; hence, extra biliverdin is needed to enhance brightness. New methods for improved biliverdin bioavailability are necessary to develop improved bright far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for noninvasive imaging in vivo.

A Unified Model for Photophysical and Electro-Optical Properties of Green Fluorescent Proteins

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Yun Lin ◽  
Matthew Romei ◽  
Luke Oltrogge ◽  
Irimpan Mathews ◽  
Steven Boxer
Keyword(s):  
Driving Force ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Charge Transfer Band ◽  
Photophysical Properties ◽  
Polymethine Dyes ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Unified Framework ◽  
Underlying Factor ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Protein Environment

Green fluorescent protein (GFPs) have become indispensable imaging and optogenetic tools. Their absorption and emission properties can be optimized for specific applications. Currently, no unified framework exists to comprehensively describe these photophysical properties, namely the absorption maxima, emission maxima, Stokes shifts, vibronic progressions, extinction coefficients, Stark tuning rates, and spontaneous emission rates, especially one that includes the effects of the protein environment. In this work, we study the correlations among these properties from systematically tuned GFP environmental mutants and chromophore variants. Correlation plots reveal monotonic trends, suggesting all these properties are governed by one underlying factor dependent on the chromophore's environment. By treating the anionic GFP chromophore as a mixed-valence compound existing as a superposition of two resonance forms, we argue that this underlying factor is defined as the difference in energy between the two forms, or the driving force, which is tuned by the environment. We then introduce a Marcus-Hush model with the bond length alternation vibrational mode, treating the GFP absorption band as an intervalence charge transfer band. This model explains all the observed strong correlations among photophysical properties; related subtopics are extensively discussed in Supporting Information. Finally, we demonstrate the model's predictive power by utilizing the additivity of the driving force. The model described here elucidates the role of the protein environment in modulating photophysical properties of the chromophore, providing insights and limitations for designing new GFPs with desired phenotypes. We argue this model should also be generally applicable to both biological and non-biological polymethine dyes.<br>

Site-Specific Protein Covalent Attachment to Nanotubes and Its Electronic Impact on Single Molecule Function

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Beachey ◽  
Harley Worthy ◽  
William David Jamieson ◽  
Suzanne Thomas ◽  
Benjamin Bowen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Functional Integration ◽  
Attachment Site ◽  
Covalent Attachment ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Functional Coupling ◽  
Phenyl Azide ◽  
Electronic Impact ◽  
Protein Attachment

<p>Functional integration of proteins with carbon-based nanomaterials such as nanotubes holds great promise in emerging electronic and optoelectronic applications. Control over protein attachment poses a major challenge for consistent and useful device fabrication, especially when utilizing single/few molecule properties. Here, we exploit genetically encoded phenyl azide photochemistry to define the direct covalent attachment of three different proteins, including the fluorescent protein GFP, to carbon nanotube side walls. Single molecule fluorescence revealed that on attachment to SWCNTs GFP’s fluorescence changed in terms of intensity and improved resistance to photobleaching; essentially GFP is fluorescent for much longer on attachment. The site of attachment proved important in terms of electronic impact on GFP function, with the attachment site furthest from the functional center having the larger effect on fluorescence. Our approach provides a versatile and general method for generating intimate protein-CNT hybrid bioconjugates. It can be potentially applied easily to any protein of choice; attachment position and thus interface characteristics with the CNT can easily be changed by simply placing the phenyl azide chemistry at different residues by gene mutagenesis. Thus, our approach will allow consistent construction and modulate functional coupling through changing the protein attachment position.</p>

Structural Evidence of Photoisomerization Pathways in Fluorescent Proteins

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Chang ◽  
Matthew Romei ◽  
Steven Boxer
Keyword(s):  
Rational Design ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Unit Cell Size ◽  
Chlorine Substituent ◽  
Gfp Chromophore ◽  
The One ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Super Resolution Microscopy

<p>Double-bond photoisomerization in molecules such as the green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore can occur either via a volume-demanding one-bond-flip pathway or via a volume-conserving hula-twist pathway. Understanding the factors that determine the pathway of photoisomerization would inform the rational design of photoswitchable GFPs as improved tools for super-resolution microscopy. In this communication, we reveal the photoisomerization pathway of a photoswitchable GFP, rsEGFP2, by solving crystal structures of <i>cis</i> and <i>trans</i> rsEGFP2 containing a monochlorinated chromophore. The position of the chlorine substituent in the <i>trans</i> state breaks the symmetry of the phenolate ring of the chromophore and allows us to distinguish the two pathways. Surprisingly, we find that the pathway depends on the arrangement of protein monomers within the crystal lattice: in a looser packing, the one-bond-flip occurs, whereas in a tighter packing (7% smaller unit cell size), the hula-twist occurs.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> <p> </p>

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