Dronpa

Dronpa is a GFP-like photoswitchable protein. It was first designed by Ryoko Ando, Hideaki Mizuno, and Atsushi Miyawaki in 2004. The protein was named after the “Japanese term Dron, a ninja term referring to instant disappearance of the body, and pa, short for photo activation.” Using a laser diode at 405nm the protein can be activated into its “bright” state, and using an argon laser at 480nm, the protein can be deactivated and turned into its “dark” state. Dronpa can be turned back and forth as often as necessary just by switching the wavelength of light that is focused onto it. This reversible ability to be able to switch back and forth between “dark” and “light” is what makes Dronpa unique.

FunctionFunction

Dronpa works by switching between the cis (bright state) to trans (dark state) position of a few amino acids in the chromophore center of the Beta-barrel structure. The amino acids that are key for this change are CYG bicyclic chromophore which is formed spontaneously from Cys 62, Tyr 63, and Gly 64. There are also changes in conformation of four additional amino acids that are near the chromophore, Arg 66, Ser 142, Val 157, and His 193.

3D structures of Dronpa3D structures of Dronpa

Updated on 03-January-2016

2ie2, 2iov, 2gx0, 2gx2, 3zuf, 3zuj, 3zul – EcFPD – Echinophyllia
4izn - EcFDP (mutant)
2z1o, 2z6y, 2z6z – EcFDP bright state
2pox – EcFDP dark state
4hq8, 4emq - EcFDP green-on state (mutant)
4hq9 - EcFDP green-off state (mutant)
4hqc - EcFDP red state (mutant)
2z6x – FDP - Pectiniidae

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

For additional information, see: Colored & Bioluminescent Proteins