This old version of Proteopedia is provided for student assignments while the new version is undergoing repairs. Content and edits done in this old version of Proteopedia after March 1, 2026 will eventually be lost when it is retired in about June of 2026.
Apply for new accounts at the new Proteopedia. Your logins will work in both the old and new versions.
Green Fluorescent Protein
From Proteopedia
The green fluorescent protein, shown here from PDB entry 1gfl, is found in a jellyfish that lives in the cold waters of the north Pacific. The jellyfish contains a bioluminescent protein-- aequorin--that emits blue light. The green fluorescent protein converts this light to green light, which is what we actually see when the jellyfish lights up. Solutions of purified GFP look yellow under typical room lights, but when taken outdoors in sunlight, they glow with a bright green color. The protein absorbs ultraviolet light from the sunlight, and then emits it as lower-energy green light.
Proteopedia Page Contributors and Editors (what is this?)
Michal Harel, Wayne Decatur, Karsten Theis, Eran Hodis, Laura Carbone, Karl Oberholser, Mark Hoelzer, Joel L. Sussman, Alexander Berchansky, Jaime Prilusky, Joseph M. Steinberger, David Canner
