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Published on: November 30, 2022
Morpholine Derivative-Functionalized Carbon Dots-Based Fluorescent Probe for Highly Selective Lysosomal Imaging in
Luling Wu1, Xiaolin Li1, Yifei Ling1
1The Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, and Shanghai Municipal Education Committee Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging Probes and Sensors, Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Normal University , 100 Guilin Road, Shanghai 200234, China.
A new carbon dot fluorescent probe (CDs-PEI-ML) was developed for specific lysosome imaging in live cells. This probe shows low toxicity, high photostability, and selective targeting, offering potential for long-term cell tracking and advanced imaging techniques.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lysosome dysfunction is linked to various diseases like Alzheimer's.
- Specific fluorescent probes are crucial for lysosome imaging and understanding cellular processes.
- Existing probes may lack selectivity, stability, or targeting capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel carbon dot-based fluorescent probe for selective lysosome imaging.
- To evaluate the probe's properties, including water solubility, targeting efficiency, and photostability.
- To investigate the probe's mechanism of action and potential for live-cell imaging applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of carbon dots functionalized with polyethylenimine (PEI) and a morpholine group (ML).
- Characterization of the probe's optical properties, quantum yield, and stability.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays and live-cell imaging experiments to assess selectivity and targeting.
- Investigation of the probe's uptake mechanism via endocytosis and accumulation in acidic lysosomes.
Main Results:
- The developed probe (CDs-PEI-ML) exhibited improved water solubility and high fluorescence quantum yield.
- The probe demonstrated low cytotoxicity and excellent photostability.
- Live-cell imaging confirmed highly selective targeting and accumulation within lysosomes.
- The morpholine group facilitated lysosomal targeting and reduced cytoplasmic diffusion.
Conclusions:
- CDs-PEI-ML is a promising, selective, and stable fluorescent probe for lysosome imaging in live cells.
- The probe's properties enable long-term tracking and potential for multicolor and super-resolution imaging.
- This work provides a new strategy for developing carbon dot-based probes for subcellular labeling.
