Use of Kaede and Kikume Green–Red Fusions for Live Cell Imaging of G Protein-Coupled Receptors

The fusion of fluorescent proteins to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is an important tool to study, e.g., trafficking and protein interactions of these important drug targets. In the past, the green fluorescent protein and its derivatives have been widely used as fluorescent tags. More recently, it was reported that photoconvertible fluorescent proteins (PCFPs) such as Kaede or Kikume green–red protein could also be used as fluorescent tags for GPCRs. These proteins have the obvious advantage that their fluorescence can be switched once the GPCR of interest has reached a specific subcellular compartment. Here, we summarize the recent progress for live cell imaging of GPCRs using these PCFPs for trafficking, biosynthesis, and protein/protein interaction studies.

Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - June 20, 2014 Category: Cytology Source Type: news