New light-emitting protein makes cancer cells visible to the naked eye

Release date: 2012-12-19

A research group at Osaka University in Japan has developed a self-luminous protein. The cancer cells implanted with this protein are visible to the naked eye in experimental mice. This kind of photoprotein may be applied to the early diagnosis of cancer.
According to a report on the Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun website on December 14, a research team led by Professor Nagai Kenji of Osaka University combined a jellyfish luminescent protein with a fluorescent protein to develop a novel protein that emits bright light autonomously. The cancer cells containing this protein were transplanted into the experimental mice, and their movement in a dark box was observed, and the cancer cells which were clearly luminescent were visually recognized.
Green fluorescent protein is an important "marker" tool for contemporary biology. In 2008, three scientists won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their contributions to the discovery and study of green fluorescent proteins. However, the previous green fluorescent protein must be irradiated with ultraviolet light to emit light, and this new protein can emit light by itself and is expected to play a role in early cancer diagnosis. Related papers have been published in the online edition of Nature-Communication magazine.

Source: Xinhua News Agency