Recent Advances in Fluorescence Imaging by Genetically Encoded Non-canonical Amino Acids

Technical innovations in protein labeling with a fluorophore at the specific residue have played a significant role in studying protein dynamics. The genetic code expansion (GCE) strategy enabled the precise installation of fluorophores at the tailored site of proteins in live cells with minimal perturbation of native functions. Considerable advances have been achieved over the past decades in fluorescent imaging using GCE strategies along with bioorthogonal chemistries. In this review, we discuss advances in the GCE-based strategies to site-specifically introduce fluorophore at a defined position of the protein and their bio-imaging applications. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This review discusses the advances in the genetic code expansion-based strategies to site-specifically introduce fluorophores at a defined position of proteins and their applications in bio-imaging.