Activation and tuning of green fluorescent protein chromophore emission by alkyl substituent-mediated crystal packing

J Am Chem Soc. 2009 Jan 21;131(2):662-70. doi: 10.1021/ja806962e.

Abstract

O-Alkyl synthetic analogues of the green fluorescent protein chromophore are nonfluorescent in solution but demonstrate a bright emission in the crystalline state. Three-dimensional steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopies in the solid state, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction, reveal the nature of complex emission in the crystals. A hypsochromic emission shift with an increase of the alkyl size is determined by the monomer-aggregate emission ratio.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Benzylidene Compounds / chemistry*
  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / chemistry*
  • Imidazolines / chemistry*
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods
  • Models, Molecular
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Benzylidene Compounds
  • Imidazolines
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins