Excited-state proton transfer of modified GFP chromophores in solution

What is it about?

The green fluorescent protein chromophore is structurally flexible, making it non-fluorescent and unable to release the proton upon light irradiation. We restored the proton-releasing capability, hence making it a photoacid, through halogen substitutions and structural rigidification. Using ultrafast spectroscopy, we demonstrated that the structural flexibility significantly affects the proton transfer process in terms of rate and solvation.

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Why is it important?

Our findings show how the structural flexibility of a photoacid could affect the excited-state proton transfer process. This can guide the chromophore design in many functional systems that require the photo-triggered proton release.