GFP introduction

Introduction of GFP

Since its first discovery in 1962, and specially so after it was cloned in 1992, GFP has drawn tremendous interest from scientists. Originated from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria, GFP has now become one of the most widely studied and exploited proteins in biochemistry and biology. Its highly organized structure, its amazing ability to generate a visible internal fluorophore and so on makes it a perfect model protein for study. It's going to, and has already in some universities, become a standard teaching tool for biochemistry and molecular biology.

A brief history
GFP structure : a unique belta-can
The fluorophore: what that makes GFP green
Structure of the fluorophore: formed from three peptides
Spectrum of GFP

links:

Introduction: From imagi1.com; A brief introduction,
Structure: Structure of GFP ; Biochemistry of GFP/BFP(slide show); An on-line paper

References:

R.Y. Tsien, The Green Fluorescent Protein, Annual Review of Biochemisty Vol 67, pp 509-544, 1998
Prasher DD, Eckenrode VK, Ward WW, Prendergast FG, Cormier MJ 1992. Primary structure of the Aequorea victoria green-fluorescent protein. Gene. 111:229-233.
Shimomura O, Johnson FH, Saiga Y 1962. Extraction, purification and properties of Aequorin, a bioluminescent protein from the luminous hydromedusan, Aequorea. J. Cell. Comp. Physiol. 59: 223-239