Fluorescent proteins in cellular assays

The genomics era has generated a vast number of potential therapeutic targets, which has stimulated the development of assays with high throughput capacity. Adaptation of cellular assays to this high throughput environment is advancing rapidly as they have the capacity to address important parameters of the drug discovery process such as bioavailability and toxicity. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) has become the reporter of choice in many cellular assays as it is genetically encoded and requires no additional cofactors. GFP mutants with improved sensitivity and altered excitation and emission wavelengths, together with advances in cellular imaging technologies, have generated a number of openings for the development of a variety of cellular assay formats. This review focuses on the generation of GFP mutants suitable for use in cellular assays and how these mutants have been applied to areas of cell biology highlighted for therapeutic intervention.