Laboratory of molecular theranostics
Head: Vladimir Martynov, D.Sc |
Name | Position | Contacts |
---|---|---|
Vladimir Martynov, D.Sc | Head of lab. | vimart@list.ru, |
Alexey Pakhomov, Ph.D. | s. r. f. | alpah@mail.ru, |
Alexey Garkovenko | j. r. f. | garkovenko@gmail.com, |
Anastasia Frolova | t. q. - lab. as. | anastasiya_frolova_box@mail.ru |
Dmitrij Kakuev | res. eng. | dkakuev@mail.ru |
Sergej Kutyakov | eng. | seregiks-2108@mail.ru |
Selected publications (show all)
All publications (show selected)
Scientific projects
Vladimir Martynov
- Russia, Moscow, Ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10 On the map
- IBCh RAS, build. 33, office. 633
- Phone:
+7(495)336-51-11 - E-mail: vimart@list.ru
An alternative mechanism for the synthesis of the chromophore of red fluorescent proteins has been discovered

At present, it is believed that the synthesis of the chromophore of red fluorescent proteins passes through an intermediate “blue” form with an absorption maximum at 400 nm, which directly turns into “red” through the formation of a double bond in the side chain of the chromophore-forming residue Tyr. In the present work, using the example of a chromoprotein from Actinia equina (aeCP), it is shown for the first time that the synthesis of a DsRed-type chromophore can proceed through an intermediate “green” form with an absorption maximum at 530 nm.
FLIM-based extracellular pH measurements using genetically encoded pH-sensors
In collaboration with Group of Molecular Physiology,  Laboratory of Receptor Cell Biology

-Extracellular mildly alkaline pH sensor named SypHerExtra was created, representing fusion of previously described SypHer3s sensor with the transmembrane domain of neurexin-1.
-It was shown that using 445 nm excitation light the fluorescence lifetimes of both SypHer3s and SypHerExtra strongly depend on pH.
-These two sensors are suitable for quantitative measurements using the FLIM method to determine intracellular and extracellular pH in a range from pH 6.5 to 9.5 in different biological systems.
Publications
- (2018). Genetically encoded fluorescent indicators for live cell pH imaging. BIOCHIM BIOPHYS ACTA 1862 (12), 2924–2939
- (2017). Fluorescent protein Dendra2 as a ratiometric genetically encoded pH-sensor. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 493 (4), 1518–1521
Key factors contributing to the green-to-red fluorescent protein transformation were identified
In collaboration with Laboratory of biomolecular modeling,  Group of in silico analysis of membrane proteins structure

Through the examples of two highly homologous fluorescent proteins from Zoanthus sp. (zoanGFP and zoan2RFP), amino acid residues participating in the transformation of a protein with the green fluorescence (GFP) into the red fluorescent protein (RFP) were explored. As the result of zoanGFP mutagenesis, internal amino acid residues (a.a.r.) became identical to those of zoan2RFP. However, this mutant underwent only partial transformation into the red form. To elucidate the extra factors that might affect red chromophore biosynthesis, we used comparative molecular dynamics simulations of zoan2RFP and zoanGFPmut. As the result, additional a.a.r. were discovered on the surface of the protein that might influence both the arrangement and flexibility of the chromophore-surrounding a.a.r. Site-directed mutagenesis of these external a.a.r. confirmed the crucial role of these residues in red chromophore biosynthesis.
Publications
- (2020). Impact of external amino acids on fluorescent protein chromophore biosynthesis revealed by molecular dynamics and mutagenesis studies. J Photochem Photobiol B 206, 111853
Fluorogenic marker for instant live-cell membrane staining and imaging
In collaboration with Group of growth factors expression and differentiation,  Group of Molecular Physiology

A new organic-compound-based fluorogenic marker has been created for live-cell membrane staining. Unlike current commercial cell markers, the obtained fluorogenic marker does not fluoresce in the aquatic environment, but acquires fluorescence immediately after being placed in a nonpolar medium, for example, in the cell membrane. This property allows one to instantly stain cells without further washing out the unbound dye. This marker can be applied in fluorescence microscopy for live-cell imaging and flow cytometry.
Publications
- (2017). BODIPY-based dye for no-wash live-cell staining and imaging. Biotechniques 63 (2), 77–79