An acid-stable, monermic variant of a new GFP gene from the flower hat jelly

Key Word : Gamillus, fluorescent protein, super-resolution microscope

Background / Context / Abstract:

GFP has been widely used in several cellular biology experiments, since it is remarkably stable in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, native GFP is resistant to the most common chemical denaturants however, a low fluorescence signal has been observed after acid-induced denaturation.
Here the inventors successfully cloned a new GFP gene from flower hat jelly (Olindias formosa). It is normally expressed as dimer, and the inventors modified it to obtain its stable monomer GFP with high brightness. Then they also have developed an acid-stable variant, named Gamillus, which is suitable for cell imaging under acidic organelles.

Technology Overview:

・Gamillus can be used in standard GFP imaging under acidic organelles; such as lysosome, secretory granules, autophagosomes, endosomes and vacuoles
・Multi-color imaging is also available, in combination with commercially available acid-stable red fluorescent proteins
・Applicable sensors that can identify ion concentrations and bioactive substances in the acidic organelles

Further Details:

Shinoda, H., Nagai, T., et al. “Acid-Tolerant Monomeric GFP from Olindias formosa,” Cell Chemical Biology 2017:25, 1–9.

Potential Applications / Potential Markets:

Stable and bright visualization of certain acidic organelle in a cell.

State of Development / Opportunity / Seeking:

●Opportunity
・Available for exclusive and non-exclusive licensing
・Exclusive/non-exclusive evaluation for defined period (set up for options)
・Collaborative/supportive research
●Seeking
・Licensing
・Development partner

IP Status:

WO2017/155101 (National phase JP, US, EP, CN)

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