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Primary Photophysical Processes in Chromoproteins

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Fluorescent Proteins I

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Fluorescence ((SS FLUOR,volume 11))

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Abstract

In this chapter, the diverse range of photophysical phenomena exhibited by chromoproteins is reviewed. Experimental and theoretical studies of both the electronic spectra and the ultrafast radiationless decay of the chromophore of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in solution are described as a function of solvent, temperature and substituent. The relevance of these observations to photophysical phenomena observed in chromoproteins which undergo photoconversion is discussed. Next, the excited state proton transfer found in GFP is described. Its potential to probe the dynamics of proton-transfer reactions in proteins is illustrated. Finally, the photophysics underlying the phenomenon of photoswitching in chromoproteins is discussed.

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Acknowledgements

I am grateful to EPSRC for financial support (EP/H025715), to my students and postdoctoral fellows for their work and insights over the years, and to my collaborators for their generous advice and assistance.

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  1. School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

    Stephen R. Meech

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    Gregor Jung

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Meech, S.R. (2011). Primary Photophysical Processes in Chromoproteins. In: Jung, G. (eds) Fluorescent Proteins I. Springer Series on Fluorescence, vol 11. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/4243_2011_19

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