Target Enzyme-Activated Two-Photon Fluorescent Probes: A Case Study of CYP3A4 Using a Two-Dimensional Design Strategy

The rapid development of fluorescent probes for monitoring target enzymes is still a great challenge owing to the lack of efficient ways to optimize a specific fluorophore. Herein, a practical two-dimensional strategy was designed for the development of an isoform-specific probe for CYP3A4, a key cytochrome P450 isoform responsible for the oxidation of most clinical drugs. In first dimension of the design strategy, a potential two-photon fluorescent substrate (NN) for CYP3A4 was effectively selected using ensemble-based virtual screening. In the second dimension, various substituent groups were introduced into NN to optimize the isoform-selectivity and reactivity. Finally, with ideal selectivity and sensitivity, NEN was successfully applied to the real-time detection of CYP3A4 in living cells and zebrafish. These findings suggested that our strategy is practical for developing an isoform-specific probe for a target enzyme.