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Published on: September 13, 2013
Highly fluorescent conjugated polyelectrolyte for protein sensing and cell-compatible chemosensing applications
Jungmok You1, Teahoon Park, Jeonghun Kim
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University , and §Cell Therapy Center, Severance Hospital, and ⊥Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine , 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Korea.
A novel fluorescent polymer, DTMSPV, acts as a versatile sensor. It detects proteins like bovine serum albumin and hemoglobin, and importantly, allows for aluminum ion (Al3+) imaging and sensing within living stem cells.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Fluorescent probes are essential tools in biological and chemical sensing.
- Developing water-soluble, cell-permeable fluorescent polymers with tunable properties remains a challenge.
- Triazine-based copolymers offer unique photophysical properties for sensing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a water-soluble, fluorescent triazine-bridged copolymer (DTMSPV).
- To investigate the potential of DTMSPV as a fluorescence sensory probe for protein detection.
- To evaluate the utility of DTMSPV for imaging and detecting aluminum ions (Al3+) in living cells.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a water-soluble, highly fluorescent triazine-bridged copolymer (DTMSPV).
- Exploration of DTMSPV's fluorescence properties in response to varying solvent polarities.
- Investigation of DTMSPV interactions with bovine serum albumin and hemoglobin.
- Assessment of DTMSPV's cell permeability and its application in imaging and Al3+ detection in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
Main Results:
- DTMSPV exhibited tunable fluorescence properties dependent on solvent polarity.
- Fluorescence of DTMSPV was enhanced by bovine serum albumin via hydrophobic interactions.
- Hemoglobin caused complete fluorescence quenching of DTMSPV through iron complexation.
- DTMSPV effectively permeated into living MSCs, enabling cell imaging.
- DTMSPV facilitated the detection of Al3+ in living MSCs, with fluorescence quenching proportional to Al3+ concentration.
Conclusions:
- DTMSPV is a versatile, cell-permeable fluorescent polymer with tunable properties.
- DTMSPV can serve as a sensitive probe for protein detection.
- DTMSPV shows significant potential for in vivo imaging and sensing of Al3+ in living cells.
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