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Phycobiliproteins are water-soluble 
fluorimetric microplate assays
, FISH and multicolor detection. They are under development for use in artificial photosynthesis, limited by the relatively low conversion efficiency of 4-5%.
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...
s present in cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria ( ) are a group of autotrophic gram-negative bacteria that can obtain biological energy via oxygenic photosynthesis. The name "cyanobacteria" () refers to their bluish green (cyan) color, which forms the basis of cyanobacteri ...
and certain algae ( rhodophytes, cryptomonads, glaucocystophytes). They capture light energy, which is then passed on to chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is any of several related green pigments found in cyanobacteria and in the chloroplasts of algae and plants. Its name is derived from the Greek words (, "pale green") and (, "leaf"). Chlorophyll allows plants to absorb energy ...
s during photosynthesis
Photosynthesis ( ) is a system of biological processes by which photosynthetic organisms, such as most plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, convert light energy, typically from sunlight, into the chemical energy necessary to fuel their metabo ...
. Phycobiliproteins are formed of a complex between proteins and covalently bound phycobilins that act as chromophores (the light-capturing part). They are most important constituents of the phycobilisomes.
Major phycobiliproteins
Characteristics
Phycobiliproteins demonstrate superior fluorescent properties compared to small organic fluorophores, especially when high sensitivity or multicolor detection required : * Broad and high absorption of light suits many light sources * Very intense emission of light: 10-20 times brighter than small organic fluorophores * Relative large Stokes shift gives low background, and allows multicolor detections. * Excitation and emission spectra do not overlap compared to conventional organic dyes. * Can be used in tandem (simultaneous use by FRET) with conventional chromophores (i.e. PE and FITC, or APC and SR101 with the same light source). * Longer fluorescence retention period. * High water solubilityApplications
Phycobiliproteins allow very high detection sensitivity, and can be used in various fluorescence based techniquefluorimetric microplate assays
, FISH and multicolor detection. They are under development for use in artificial photosynthesis, limited by the relatively low conversion efficiency of 4-5%.
References