Phycobiliproteins are water-soluble proteins present in cyanobacteria and certain algae (rhodophytes, cryptomonads, glaucocystophytes) that capture light energy, which is then passed on to chlorophylls during photosynthesis. Phycobiliproteins are formed of a complex between proteins and covalently bound phycobilins that act as chromophores (the light-capturing part). They are most important constituents of the phycobilisomes.
Major phycobiliproteins:
Characteristics and applications in biotechnology
Phycobiliproteins elicit great fluorescent properties compared to small organic fluorophores, especially when high sensitivity or multicolor detection is required :
As a result, phycobiliproteins allow very high detection sensitivity, and can be used in various fluorescence based techniques fluorimetric microplate assays, Flow Cytometry, FISH and multicolor detection.