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The super-resolution microscopy called RESOLFT relying on fluorophore switching between longlived states, stands out by its coordinate-targeted sequential sample interrogation using low light levels. While RESOLFT has been shown to discern nanostructures in living cells, the reversibly photoswitchable green fluorescent protein (rsEGFP) employed in these experiments was switched rather slowly and recording lasted tens of minutes. We now report on the generation of rsEGFP2 providing faster switching and the use of this protein to demonstrate 25-250 times faster recordings.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00248.001. peerReviewed

Diffraction-unlimited far-field super-resolution fluorescence (nanoscopy) methods typically rely on transiently transferring fluorophores between two states, whereby this transfer is usually laid out as a switch. However, depending on whether this is induced in a spatially controlled manner using a pattern of light (coordinate-targeted) or stochastically on a single-molecule basis, specific requirements on the fluorophores are imposed. Therefore, the fluorophores are usually utilized just for one class of methods only. In this study we demonstrate that the reversibly switchable fluorescent protein Dreiklang enables live-cell recordings in both spatially controlled and stochastic modes. We show that the Dreiklang chromophore entails three different light-induced switching mechanisms, namely a reversible photochemical one, off-switching by stimulated emission, and a reversible transfer to a long-lived dark state from the S1 state, all of which can be utilized to overcome the diffraction barrier. We also find that for the single-molecule-based stochastic GSDIM approach (ground-state depletion followed by individual molecule return), Dreiklang provides a larger number of on-off localization events as compared to its progenitor Citrine. Altogether, Dreiklang is a versatile probe for essentially all popular forms of live-cell fluorescence nanoscopy.

Photoswitchable fluorescent proteins have enabled new approaches for imaging cells, but their utility has been limited either because they cannot be switched repeatedly or because the wavelengths for switching and fluorescence imaging are strictly coupled. We report a bright, monomeric, reversibly photoswitchable variant of GFP, Dreiklang, whose fluorescence excitation spectrum is decoupled from that for optical switching. Reversible on-and-off switching in living cells is accomplished at illumination wavelengths of ~365 nm and ~405 nm, respectively, whereas fluorescence is elicited at ~515 nm. Mass spectrometry and high-resolution crystallographic analysis of the same protein crystal in the photoswitched on- and off-states demonstrate that switching is based on a reversible hydration/dehydration reaction that modifies the chromophore. The switching properties of Dreiklang enable far-field fluorescence nanoscopy in living mammalian cells using both a coordinate-targeted and a stochastic single molecule switching approach.

We demonstrate live-cell STED microscopy of two protein species using photochromic green fluorescent proteins as markers. The reversible photoswitching of two markers is implemented so that they can be discerned with a single excitation and STED wavelength and a single detection channel. Dual-label STED microscopy is shown in living mammalian cells.

Solubilization of thylakoid membranes of Cyclotella cryptica with dodecyl-beta maltoside followed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation or deriphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis resulted in the isolation of pigment protein complexes. These complexes were characterized by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western immunoblotting using antisera against fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins and the reaction center protein D2 of photosystem II. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation yielded four bands. Band 1 consisted of free pigments with minor amounts of fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins. Bands 2, 3, and 4 represented a major fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding protein fraction, photosystem II, and photosystem I, respectively. Deriphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gave rise to five bands, representing photosystem I, photosystem II, two fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding protein complexes, and a band mostly consisting of free pigments. In the Western immunoblotting experiments, the specific association of two fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins, Fcp2 and Fcp4, to the photosystems could be demonstrated. In vivo experiments using antibodies against phosphothreonine residues and in vitro studies using [gamma-32P]ATP showed that fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c binding-proteins of 22 kDa became phosphorylated.

Recently, reversibly switchable fluorescent proteins (RSFPs) have become a new branch of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) like family. RSFPs may be reversibly switched between a fluorescent and a non-fluorescent state by irradiation with light of distinct wavelengths; the key structural event of this switch is a cis / trans isomerization of the chromophore which is accompanied by changes in the protonation state of the chromophore. These proteins may be applied in sub-diffraction resolution microscopy as well as in novel protein tracking schemes or even as data storage elements.Consequently, the creation of novel RSFPs with unique characteristics for the respective applications is of great importance. To this end, the combination of rational and random mutagenesis together with an automated screening system allowed us to create several new RSFPs. These include rsCherryRev, Padron and bsDronpa. rsCherryRev, the first red fluorescent monomeric RSFP, was successfully applied in a live cell sub-diffraction resolution microscopy experiment to visualize the movement of the endoplasmic reticulum. Padron, a green RSFP with reversed switching behavior, in combination with the RSFP rsFastLime allowed for multilabel single detection color microscopy, while bsDronpa, a Dronpa variant with a broad excitation spectrum, was used for two-color sub-diffraction resolution microscopy.