CellLight Fluorescent Protein Labeling

Microscopic image of cells labeled with green mitochondria fusion protein, red talin cytoskeletal fusion protein, and blue nucleus stain

CellLight fluorescent proteins provide an easy way to label specific structures in live cells. Simply add the ready-to-use constructs to your cells, incubate overnight, and you’re ready to image in the morning. These constructs express fluorescent fusion proteins targeted to specific intracellular structures. The fluorescent protein is introduced using a simple transfection step, using the BacMam technology, that doesn’t require molecular biology techniques to carry out—it works like a cell stain.

See all CellLight fluorescent protein products

Advantages of labeling with CellLight fluorescent proteins

Specific intracellular targets ideal for your experimental needs
Simple add-incubate-image protocol for each cell structure
Multiplex with other CellLight proteins, antibodies, or organic dyes

CellLight fluorescent protein selection guide

	GFP		RFP		CFP
Excitation wavelength range	488-510		555-584		435-485
Size	1 mL	0.1 mL	1 mL	0.1 mL	1 mL
Actin	C10582	C10506	C10583	C10502	—
Cytoplasm	B10383	—	—	—	—
Endoplasmic reticulum	C10590	—	C10591	—	—
Early endosomes	C10586	—	C10587	—	—
Late endosomes	C10588	—	C10589	—	—
Golgi	C10592	—	C10593	—	—
Histones (histone 2B)	C10594	—	C10595	—	—
Lysosomes	C10596	C10507	C10597	C10504	—
Mitochondria	C10600	C10508	C10601	C10505	—
Nucleus	C10602	—	C10603	—	C10616
Peroxisomes	C10604	—	—	—	—
Plasma membrane	C10607	—	C10608	—	C10606
Synaptophysin	—	—	C10610	—	—
Talin	C10611	—	C10612	—	—
Tubulin	C10613	C10509	C10614	C10503	—
BacMam 2.0 transduction control	B10383	—	—	—	—
Unconjugated
Null virus (control)	C10615

CellLight workflow

Schematic of adding CellLight fluorescent proteins to your cells

Using the BacMam 2.0-based CellLight fluorescent fusion proteins to express genes is as simple as it is efficient:

Add virus to cells in full medium.
Incubate overnight.
Image or freeze for future use.

Cells can be transduced by mixing cells with the CellLight fluorescent fusion protein immediately prior to plating. Alternatively, adherent cells can be transduced by addition of virus to cells already in dish or on plate. Typically, optimal transduction is obtained at 70% confluence and with a 20:1 BacMam particle to cell ratio.

BacMam delivery technology

BacMam technology provides you with an efficient transduction system so that you can create relevant cell models to run your assays. Use BacMam technology to label organelles with targeted fluorescent proteins, express drug targets such as ion channels or receptors, or monitor cellular processes with fluorescent protein indicators. You can also create your own custom constructs using Invitrogen ViraPower BacMam Expression System.

Learn more about how BacMam technology can accelerate your research

Guidelines for using CellLight fluorescent fusion proteins

When to use CellLight fluorescent fusion proteins:

To target organelles or intracellular structures in live cells with minimal toxicity or chemical disruption
To identify functions that require higher resolution
To multiplex with other CellLight fluorescent proteins or organic dyes to follow the behavior of individual cells, and analyze in live cells or after fixation
To label mitochondria irrespective of membrane potential and lysosomes irrespective of pH

When NOT to use CellLight fluorescent fusion proteins:

During cell population studies or automated imaging/counting because CellLight fluorescent fusion proteins rarely result in 100% transfection rates (Transfection rates and conditions may differ by cell type as a result an extensive reference list on their uses is provided)