Abstract
The red fluorescent protein (RFP) was produced in vitro from three components; a protein from the mid-gut of the larvae, chlorophyll-a, and a basic protein from the chloroplast of green leaves. There were two reactions on the process. The 1st reaction was the conversion of chlorophyll-a into the pigment part of the RFP by the basic protein. It was proved that the converted pigment was chlorophyllide-a, and therefore, the basic protein was chlorophyllase. The conversion of chlorophyll-a to chlorophyllide-a proceeded under the same alkaline state as that of the digestive juice of the larvae. The 2nd reaction was combining of chlorophyllide-a, with the protein from the mid-gut of the larvae. The reaction was rapidly brought about at the same pH as that of the mid-gut tissue. Small energy might be required for the conversion of thus combined protein to the red fluorescent protein.
