Environmentally Sensitive Color-Shifting Fluorophores for Bioimaging
Lu Wang1, Julien Hiblot1,2, Christoph Popp1
1Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|August 8, 2020
Summary
We developed novel color-shifting fluorophores that change from green to red. Their fluorescence ratio enables sensitive ratiometric biosensors for calcium ions, proteins, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Fluorescent probes are essential tools in biological research.
- Developing ratiometric probes offers advantages for quantitative measurements by reducing environmental noise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce novel color-shifting fluorophores.
- To demonstrate their application in developing ratiometric biosensors and bioassays.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of color-shifting fluorophores based on intramolecular spirocyclization.
- Characterization of the fluorophores' spectral properties and environmental sensitivity.
- Development and validation of ratiometric biosensors for calcium ions, proteins, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate.
Main Results:
- Developed fluorophores reversibly switch between green and red emission.
- Spirocyclization equilibrium is sensitive to the cellular environment, enabling ratiometric measurements.
- Successfully created ratiometric biosensors for calcium ions in living cells, protein detection, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quantification.
Conclusions:
- Color-shifting fluorophores offer a versatile platform for ratiometric sensing.
- These probes enable sensitive and quantitative biological measurements.
- The developed biosensors have broad applications in cell biology and biochemistry.
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