Fluorescent proteins and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) as tools in signaling research

Johannes A. Schmid; Andreas Birbach

doi:10.1160/TH06-08-0472

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 2007; 97(03): 378-384
DOI: 10.1160/TH06-08-0472

Theme Issue Article

Schattauer GmbH

Fluorescent proteins and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) as tools in signaling research

Johannes A. Schmid

¹Center for Biomolecular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department for Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Medical University of Vienna, Austria

²Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria

,

Andreas Birbach

²Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

The advent of fluorescent proteins has revolutionized signaling research, shifting focus from biochemical assays to analysis of live cells, organized tissues and even entire organisms. Modern applications of fluorescent proteins go beyond their use as specific markers of cells or tissues, allowing the researcher to visualize intracellular translocations as well as biochemical reactions. In this mini-review, we summarize the properties of a variety of fluorescent proteins, their detection using fluorescence microscopy and flow analysis, as well as their basic and more advanced applications, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to study signaling dynamics.

Keywords

Endothelial cells - signal transduction - protein trafficking

Full Text

References

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