Reverse Ph-Dependence of Chromophore Protonation Explains the Large Stokes Shift of the Red Fluorescent Protein Mkeima.
Violot, S., Carpentier, P., Blanchoin, L., Bourgeois, D.(2009) J Am Chem Soc 131: 10356
- PubMed: 19722611 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/ja903695n
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2WHS, 2WHT, 2WHU - PubMed Abstract: 
The recently developed red fluorescent protein Keima exhibits the largest Stokes shift (180 nm) observed to date. Combining X-ray crystallography with (in crystallo) UV-visible absorption, fluorescence, and Raman spectroscopy, we have investigated molecular determinants of this peculiar property. The results demonstrate a pH-dependent "reverse chromophore protonation" triggered by the key residue Asp157 and which couples to cis/trans isomerization of the chromophore. These data provided guidelines to rationally design a useful Keima variant.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Institut de Recherches en Technologies et Sciences pour le Vivant, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire Végétale, CEA, CNRS, INRA, Université Joseph Fourier, 17 rue des Martyrs, F-38054 Grenoble, France.