Simulating green fluorescent proteins: The potential of fluorescent aptamers and peptides for biosensing and imaging

Fluorescent proteins have become essential tools in biotechnology and have been extensively used for cell tracking, protein interaction analysis, and biosensor development. To replicate the luminescence of fluorescent proteins, a range of innovative fluorescent tools, including peptide nanostructures, RNA aptamers, and DNA aptamers, have been introduced. These molecular advancements not only emulate the luminescent properties of fluorescent proteins but also offer improved functionalities, such as real-time monitoring of dynamic cellular processes, selective binding to small molecules or metabolites, and high-resolution imaging. This review provides an overview of the structural characteristics and photophysical mechanisms of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its variants while also exploring the design strategies and applications of RNA aptamers, DNA aptamers, fluorescent peptide nanostructures, and de novo designed proteins. It highlights the transformative potential of these emerging tools in advancing imaging and sensing technologies, as they address many of the limitations associated with traditional fluorescent proteins (FPs), thereby broadening the possibilities for biological research.