A photochromic bacterial photoreceptor with potential for super-resolution microscopy

We introduce a novel fluorescent reporter with potential for super-resolution microscopy, based on the bacterial photoreceptor YtvA. YtvA (from Bacillus subtilis) comprises a photosensitive flavin-based LOV domain, efficiently photo-switchable between fluorescent and non-fluorescent states. We demonstrate Fluorescence PhotoActivation Localization Microscopy (FPALM) studies of live Escherichia coli cells, expressing YtvA molecules.