Synthesis and Spectroscopy of Derivatives of the Fluorescent Protein Chromophore

 

Jiří Bufka, Jaroslav Šebestík, and Petr Bouř

 

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences

Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic

 

The fluorescent protein is a valuable tool in biological imaging techniques. We synthesized several derivatives of the green fluorescent protein chromophore, in order to understand spectroscopic properties of this interesting structural label. They were characterized by 1H NMR, MCD and Raman spectroscopies. The spectral properties will be used to obtain information on the geometry and the electronic structure. Understanding the spectroscopic and chemical properties and the chemical modification of the chromophore can lead to better labels, e.g. which would be more stable or not easily eliminated by the organism.