Abstract: The present invention provides a protein fusion construct comprising a far-red cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) domain linked to a heterologous domain, wherein the far-red CBCR domain comprises a CBCR polypeptide and a tetrapyrrole chromophore. The invention also provides nucleic acids, expression cassettes, vectors, and host cells for expression of the far-red CBCR protein fusion constructs. Methods for detecting cellular components, methods for imaging biological structures, and method for modulating cellular processes using the protein fusion constructs are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for the coloring of foodstuffs with recombinant, purified, and/or isolated cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs). The CBCRs can affect the apparent color of a food by selective absorbing or fluorescing particular wavelengths of light. The CBCRs can have either colorfast properties, in which the CBCRs consistently appear as having a single color, or color changing properties, in which the CBCRs can switch between two states that each appear as a different color.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein fusion construct comprising a far-red cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) domain linked to a heterologous domain, wherein the far-red CBCR domain comprises a CBCR polypeptide and a tetrapyrrole chromophore. The invention also provides nucleic acids, expression cassettes, vectors, and host cells for expression of the far-red CBCR protein fusion constructs. Methods for detecting cellular components, methods for imaging biological structures, and method for modulating cellular processes using the protein fusion constructs are also provided.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the discovery of mutant phytochromes that when introduced into a plant alter the photomorphogenic properties of that plant. In certain embodiments transfection of plants by nucleic acid constructs expressing the mutant phytochromes produced plants having a phenotype characterized by light-independent’ activation. Thus, in certain embodiments, this invention provides a transgenic plant or plant cell comprising a mutant phytochrome where the mutant phytochrome is a light-stable phytochrome; and the transgenic plant shows decreased shade avoidance as compared to the same species or strain of plant lacking the mutant phytochrome. In various embodiments the mutant phytochrome comprises a mutation at the position corresponding to tyrosine residue 276 in an Arabidopsis phytochrome where the mutation is to a residue other than tyrosine.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the discovery of mutant phytochromes that when introduced into a plant alter the photomorphogenic properties of that plant. In certain embodiments transfection of plants by nucleic acid constructs expressing the mutant phytochromes produced plants having a phenotype characterized by light-independent’ activation. Thus, in certain embodiments, this invention provides a transgenic plant or plant cell comprising a mutant phytochrome where the mutant phytochrome is a light-stable phytochrome; and the transgenic plant shows decreased shade avoidance as compared to the same species or strain of plant lacking the mutant phytochrome. In various embodiments the mutant phytochrome comprises a mutation at the position corresponding to tyrosine residue 276 in an Arabidopsis phytochrome where the mutation is to a residue other than tyrosine.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the discovery of mutant phytochromes that when introduced into a plant alter the photomorphogenic properties of that plant. In certain embodiments transfection of plants by nucleic acid constructs expressing the mutant phytochromes produced plants having a phenotype characterized by light-independent activation. Thus, in certain embodiments, this invention provides a transgenic plant or plant cell comprising a mutant phytochrome where the mutant phytochrome is a light-stable phytochrome; and the transgenic plant shows decreased shade avoidance as compared to the same species or strain of plant lacking the mutant phytochrome. In various embodiments the mutant phytochrome comprises a mutation at the position corresponding to tyrosine residue 276 in an Arabidopsis phytochrome where the mutation is to a residue other than tyrosine.

Abstract: This invention provides fluorescent adducts that emit in the far red and/or near infrared. In certain embodiments, the adducts comprise a mutant apoprotein and a bilin.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the discovery of mutant phytochromes that when introduced into a plant alter the photomorphogenic properties of that plant. In certain embodiments transfection of plants by nucleic acid constructs expressing the mutant phytochromes produced plants having a phenotype characterized by light-independent activation. Thus, in certain embodiments, this invention provides a transgenic plant or plant cell comprising a mutant phytochrome where the mutant phytochrome is a light-stable phytochrome; and the transgenic plant shows decreased shade avoidance as compared to the same species or strain of plant lacking the mutant phytochrome. In various embodiments the mutant phytochrome comprises a mutation at the position corresponding to tyrosine residue 276 in an Arabidopsis phytochrome where the mutation is to a residue other than tyrosine.

Abstract: This invention identifies a novel family of bilin reductases. Designated herein HY bilin reductases, the enzymes of this invention are useful in a wide variety of contexts including but not limited to the conversion of biliverdins to phytobilins and the assembly of holophytochromes or phytofluors.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of gene expression. In particular this invention relates to the use of heterologous phytochromes to translocate polypeptides into the nucleus of a cell. Where the polypeptides comprise transactivators or repressors this invention provides a system for light-directed gene expression.

Abstract: This invention identifies a novel family of bilin reductases. Designated herein HY bilin reductases, the enzymes of this invention are useful in a wide variety of contexts including but not limited to the conversion of biliverdins to phytobilins and the assembly of holophytochromes or phytofluors.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of gene expression. In particular this invention relates to the use of heterologous phytochromes to translocate polypeptides into the nucleus of a cell. Where the polypeptides comprise transactivators or repressors this invention provides a system for light-directed gene expression.

Abstract: This invention provides new fluorescent molecules useful for detection of target entities. In particular, it relates to fluorescent adducts comprising an apoprotein and a bilin.

Abstract: This invention provides new fluorescent molecules useful for detection of target entities. In particular, it relates to fluorescent adducts comprising an apoprotein and a bilin.