Abstract
In 2002, a photo-convertible fluorescent protein Kaede was isolated from stony coral, Trachyphyllia geoffroyi, and described. Kaede emits bright green fluorescence, but can change its color efficiently to a bright and stable red fluorescence after exposure to UV or violet light (350-400 nm). The photo-conversion is irreversible. We confirmed that Kaede was expressed correctly and its green-to-red color change was also observed by violet light illumination, in onion, tobacco and Arabidopsis by the particle bombardment method. By using Kaede, we demonstrated that plant mitochondria frequently undergo both fusion and fission. We also developed transgenic Arabidopsis plants that constantly express Kaede targeted to particular organelles. These plants are useful for making further observations of the frequency and manner of fusion of organelles in various organs. We are presently growing T2 plants and investigating the effects of Kaede on their growth.
