A rapid and simple method of evaluating the dimeric tendency of fluorescent proteins in living cells using a truncated protein of importin α as fusion tag

Abstract

Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and its yellow variant (Venus) are weakly dimeric under physiological conditions. We designed a simple method to evaluate the dimeric tendency of fluorescent proteins in living mammalian cells. A novel single mutation, A206L, interfering with the hydrophobic interactions of the dimer interface in Venus, contributed to its monomerization, and was as effective as the A206K mutation in this assay. © 2012 W. S. Maney & Son Ltd.