Toward an official model protein system, with GFP as an exemplar

Abstract

Model organisms significantly advance research because scientific communities recognize their value, develop infrastructure around them, and utilize them to address questions relevant to multiple species. I propose adopting a similar approach at the molecular level by establishing an official model protein system. This system would acknowledge five proteins that are already informally recognized as models in protein science: GFP, lysozyme, hemoglobin/myoglobin, RNase A, and bacteriorhodopsin. Formal recognition of these proteins would create standardized reporting requirements, shared benchmarks, and reference datasets, enhancing reproducibility, comparability, and educational resources. GFP serves as a prime example of this concept: it is a single-gene, genetically portable protein with a conserved structure and a measurable phenotype that effectively connects computation and experimental research. This paper identifies the criteria for model protein designation, presents a minimal reporting checklist, and outlines initial steps for implementation at the system level.