Utilization of fluorescent chimeras for investigation of heterooligomeric complexes formed by human small heat shock proteins

► Chimeras of fluorescent proteins and human small heat shock proteins were obtained. ► Fluorescent chimeras of HspB1 and HspB6 formed complex with molecular weight of ∼280 kDa. ► Fluorescent chimeras of HspB5 and HspB6 formed heterogeneous oligomers. ► HspB8 or its chimeras were unable to form stable complexes with HspB1 or HspB5. ► Subunit exchange can be followed by homo- or hetero-FRET giving comparable results.