Description
KillerRed is a red fluorescent protein capable of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon green light irradiation (Bulina et al., Nat Biotechnol. 2006, 24(1): 95-99). Unlike chemical photosensitizers, KillerRed can be directly expressed by target cells, both individually and in fusion with a target protein. It shows no cell toxic effects before light activation. Upon green light irradiation KillerRed generates ROS that damage the neighboring molecules. This novel tool allows precise inactivation of selected proteins in chromophore-assisted light inactivation (CALI) and high-specific light-induced cell killing. pKillerRed-dMito vector is appropriately used for the expression of mitochondria-targeted KillerRed in mammalian cells for precise light-induced cell killing.