As we looked at the models of proteins in our last class, I was very interested in the model that represented the protein that allows certain jellyfish to glow-in-the-dark. The green fluorescent protein is made of 238 amino acids. Green fluorescent proteins have a beta barrel structure made of 11 B-strands. Scientists first isolated the protein from a specific kind of jellyfish called Aequorea Victoria. Some jellyfish use their luminescence as a defense system if they are attacked by a predator. Once they are attacked, they begin t glow to confuse their attacker and hopefully get away.
Scientists have been able to use this protein as a reporter gene in their experiments. Scientists introduce the fluorescent gene to a bacteria or animal in order to indicate if a certain gene is present. This is helpful because no invasive test is needed to determine if the gene is present. Scientists simply shine a light on the bacteria and if if glows, then the gene is present.
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