ISSN:
1573-5176
Keywords:
cyanobacteria
;
red algae
;
phycobiliproteins
;
bilins
;
energy transfer
;
fluorescent tags
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Phycobiliproteins are brilliantly colored, highly fluorescent components of the photosynthetic light-harvesting antenna complexes of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), red algae and cryptomonads. These proteins carry covalently attached linear tetrapyrrole pigments related structurally to biliverdin. Phycobiliproteins, purified from certain organisms, are isolated as either trimers, (αβ)3, of approximatelyM r 110–120×103 (e.g., allophycocyanins), or hexamers, (αβ)6γ, of aboutM r 250×103 (certain phycoerythrins). Three phycobiliproteins R-phycoerythrin, B-phycoerythrin, and allophycocyanin serve as valuable fluorescent tags with numerous applications in flow cytometry, fluorescence activated cell sorting, histochemistry and, to a limited degree, in immunoassay and detection of reactive oxygen species. These applications exploit the unique physical and spectroscopic properties of phycobiliproteins.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02186064
