flavinbased

Flavin-based refers to systems, processes, or molecules that rely on flavin cofactors derived from riboflavin, most commonly flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). These cofactors are integral to a wide range of enzymes and, in some cases, to flavin-containing proteins that function as chromophores.

Flavins participate in redox chemistry by cycling among oxidized, semiquinone, and fully reduced states. This redox versatility allows one- and two-electron transfers and supports diverse catalytic activities, including oxidation, hydroxylation, and electron transfer in energy metabolism.

Flavin-based systems encompass flavoproteins such as flavin-dependent oxidases, dehydrogenases, and monooxygenases, which participate in biomass metabolism, detoxification, and biosynthesis. In photoreception and repair, FAD and FMN serve as prosthetic groups in photolyases and light-sensing proteins. Flavin-based fluorescent proteins (FbFPs) use an intrinsic flavin chromophore to provide oxygen-independent fluorescence, used as reporters in imaging.

Applications of flavin-based chemistry include biocatalysis for selective oxidations and functional group transformations, as well as development of biosensors and imaging tools. The term “flavin-based” is a descriptive label for natural and engineered systems that depend on flavin cofactors, distinguishing them from metal-centered or non-flavin chemistries.