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Updated: Oct 23, 2025
Live Imaging of Apoptotic Cell Clearance during Drosophila Embryogenesis
Published on: August 18, 2013
Real-Time Visualization of Embryonic Apoptosis Using a Near-Infrared Fluorogenic Probe for Embryo Development
Lei He1,2, Shuyue Ye1, Jing Fang1
1State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China.
Scientists developed a new near-infrared fluorescent probe to detect early embryonic apoptosis. This probe enables real-time imaging and evaluation of embryonic development by specifically detecting caspase-3 activity in apoptotic embryos.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Molecular Imaging
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Early detection of embryonic apoptosis is crucial for monitoring development.
- Existing methods for apoptosis detection lack real-time monitoring capabilities.
- Caspase-3 is a key enzyme in the execution of apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel near-infrared (NIR) fluorogenic probe for real-time imaging of embryonic apoptosis.
- To evaluate the probe's specificity and sensitivity for detecting caspase-3 activity.
- To demonstrate the probe's utility for in vitro and in vivo imaging of apoptotic embryos.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of the NIR fluorogenic probe CGK(QSY21)DEVD-Cy5.5, incorporating a NIR dye, quencher, and caspase-3 substrate.
- Characterization of the probe's fluorescence properties in response to caspase-3 cleavage.
- Application of the probe for real-time imaging of caspase-3 activity in apoptotic embryos, both in vitro and in vivo.
Main Results:
- The synthesized probe CGK(QSY21)DEVD-Cy5.5 exhibited quenched fluorescence in aqueous solution.
- Upon cleavage by activated caspase-3, the probe displayed a concentration-dependent increase in NIR fluorescence.
- Significant fluorescence enhancement was observed exclusively in apoptotic embryos treated with the probe, indicating specific detection of caspase-3 activity.
Conclusions:
- The novel NIR fluorogenic probe enables specific and sensitive real-time imaging of embryonic apoptosis.
- The probe facilitates accurate monitoring and evaluation of embryonic development by visualizing caspase-3 activity.
- This probe holds significant potential for future applications in visualizing and assessing embryonic development.
