Quantification of reactive oxygen species production by the red fluorescent proteins KillerRed, SuperNova and mCherry.

ABSTRACT: Fluorescent proteins can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon absorption of photons via type I and II photosensitization mechanisms. The red fluorescent proteins KillerRed and SuperNova are phototoxic proteins engineered to generate ROS and are used in a variety of biological applications. However, their relative quantum yields and rates of ROS production are unclear, which has limited the interpretation of their effects when used in biological systems. We cloned and purified KillerRed, SuperNova, and mCherry - a related red fluorescent protein not typically considered a photosensitizer - and measured the superoxide (O₂^•-) and singlet oxygen (¹O₂) quantum yields with irradiation at 561 nm. The formation of the O₂^•--sp

SUBMITTER: Onukwufor JO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6980788 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature