Differential behaviour of cationic triphenylamine derivatives in fixed and living cells: triggering and imaging cell...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Triphenylamines are known for their fluorescence properties.
• These compounds can bind to DNA minor grooves.
• Their behavior differs between fixed and living cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the photophysical properties and cellular behavior of triphenylamines.
• To explore their potential as apoptosis-inducing agents.
• To enable fluorescence imaging of apoptosis in living cells.

Main Methods:

• Cellular staining assays with fixed and living cells.
• Visible light irradiation experiments.
• Subcellular localization studies using fluorescence microscopy.

Main Results:

• Triphenylamines act as on/off fluorescent DNA minor groove binders in fixed cells.
• In living cells, they accumulate in the cytoplasm.
• Visible light exposure induces apoptosis and nuclear relocalization of triphenylamines.

Conclusions:

• Triphenylamines can be utilized for nuclear staining of fixed cells.
• They serve as photosensitizers to induce and image apoptosis in living cells.
• Subcellular re-localization is key to their function in living cells.