Red fluorescent protein (RFP) is a
fluorophore that fluoresces red-orange when excited. Several variants have been developed using
directed mutagenesis.[1] The original was isolated from Discosoma, and named DsRed. Others are now available that fluoresce orange, red, and far-red.[2]
Issues with fluorescent proteins include the length of time between protein synthesis and expression of fluorescence. DsRed has a maturation time of around 24 hours,[1] which can make it unusable for many experiments that take place in a shorter time frame. Additionally, DsRed exists in a tetrameric form, which can affect the function of proteins to which it is attached. Genetic engineering has improved the utility of RFP by increasing the speed of fluorescent development and creating monomeric variants.[3][4] Improved variants of RFP include mFruits (
mCherry, mOrange, mRaspberry), mKO, TagRFP, mKate, mRuby, FusionRed, mScarlet and DsRed-Express.[4][5]
^Böhm I, Gehrke S, Kleb B, Hungerbühler M, Müller R, Klose KJ, Alfke H (2019). "Monitoring of tumor burden in vivo by optical imaging in a xenograft SCID mouse model: evaluation of two fluorescent proteins of the GFP-superfamily". Acta Radiol. 60 (3): 315–326.
doi:
10.1177/0284185118780896.
PMID29890843.
S2CID48353442.