Question

Recent studies using GFP fusion proteins have allowed study of protein dynamics in living cells. Initially, GFP was derived and cloned from:

• A. Aequorea victoria \
• B. Discosoma sp \
• C. Marine bacteria \
• D. Firefly

Hint:

GFP was first discovered in the marine world inside the bioluminescent jellyfish Aequorea victoria.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Concept Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) is a bioluminescent protein widely used as a molecular reporter tag in biological research to visualize gene expression and track protein localization inside living cells in real time.

Step 2: Meaning GFP naturally absorbs blue light and emits bright green fluorescence without requiring additional cofactors or substrates.

Step 3: Analysis * Aequorea victoria (A): The specific bioluminescent jellyfish species from which GFP was first isolated and cloned by researchers $\rightarrow$ Correct. * Discosoma sp (B): A genus of coral-like organisms from which red fluorescent proteins (like DsRed) were later isolated, not GFP. * Marine bacteria (C): Often utilize different luciferase systems for bioluminescence rather than the GFP protein framework. * Firefly (D): Uses the firefly luciferase enzyme system to produce light through a chemical reaction requiring ATP and luciferin, which is completely different from the fluorescent mechanism of GFP.

Step 4: Conclusion Therefore, GFP was originally discovered and extracted from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria, matching option A. Final Answer: (A)