Single-molecule specific mislocalization of red fluorescent proteins in live Escherichia coli

Tagging of individual proteins with genetically encoded fluorescent proteins (FPs) has been used extensively to study localization and interactions in live cells. Recent developments in single-molecule localization microscopy have enabled the dynamic visualization of individual tagged proteins inside living cells. However, tagging proteins with FPs is not without problems: formation of insoluble aggregates and inhibition of native functions of the protein are well-known issues. Previously reported artifacts manifest themselves at all expression levels of the FP-tagged proteins, making the design of control experiments relatively straightforward. Here, we describe a previously uncharacterized mislocalization artifact of Entacmaea quadricolor red fluorescent protein variants that is detectable at the single-molecule level in live Escherichia coli cells.