Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #259584
Title: Synthesis and photochemistry of pH-sensitive GFP chromophore analogues

Author
item KARTRITZKY, ALAN - University Of Florida
item Yoshioka-Tarver, Megumi
item EL-GENDY, BAHAAA EL-DIEN - Benha University
item HALL, C. DENNIS - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Tetrahedron Letters
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/24/2010
Publication Date: 4/27/2011
Citation: Kartritzky, A.R., Yoshioka-Tarver, M., El-Gendy, B.M., Hall, C. 2011. Synthesis and photochemistry of pH-sensitive GFP chromophore analogues. Tetrahedron Letters. 52(17):2224-2227.

Interpretive Summary: Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is an established monitoring method to detect small concentrations of different biological activities such as ligands, inhibitors, and antigens. Several studies have been performed to understand the high fluorescent activity of GFP; however, isolated GFPs, or synthesized GFP chromophores, have relatively small fluorescent activities due to photoisomerization of the exo-methylnene group. Our goal was to design pH sensitive GFP chromophore analogues based on photoisomerization properties. Four analogues containing heterocyclic rings, such as furan, thiophene, pyrrole, or pyridine, were designed and synthesized. The analogue’s fluorescent activity was reduced in neutral and basic media but enhanced in acidic media by protonating a nitrogen atom and inhibiting the photoisomerization of the exo-methylene group.

Technical Abstract: Nobel GFP chromophore analogues containing 2-thienyl-, 5-methyl-2-furyl-, 2-pyrryl, and 6-methyl-2-pyridyl-groups were synthesized, and their fluorescence spectra were recorded across pH range of 1 to 7. The GFP chromophores prevent photoisomerizaiton in acidic media and increase their fluorescent activities. NMR studies showed that protonation of 2-thienyl system inhibited photoisomerization (Z to E) at the exocyclic double bond and the protonation of stereomeric mixtures (E + Z) of 2-pyrryl system gave only the E-isomer. Fluorescence studies revealed enhancement of fluorescence intensity of 5-methyl-2-furyl-and 2-pyrryl system below pH 2.5 and gave a similar result for 6-methyl-2-pyridy system below pH 6.