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Updated: Oct 13, 2025
Quantitative Localization of a Golgi Protein by Imaging Its Center of Fluorescence Mass
Published on: August 10, 2017
An aggregation-induced emission platform for efficient Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum specific imaging
Peihong Xiao1,2, Ke Ma1,2, Miaomiao Kang1,2
1Center for AIE Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China wangd@szu.edu.cn.
Researchers developed novel aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorescent probes, AIE-GA and AIE-ER, for precise imaging of the Golgi apparatus (GA) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in cells. These probes offer superior performance compared to existing options.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- The Golgi apparatus (GA) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are vital subcellular organelles in eukaryotic cells, crucial for numerous cellular functions.
- Dysfunction of the GA and ER is implicated in various diseases, making them important biomarkers.
- Developing specific fluorescent probes for GA and ER is essential for biological research and diagnostics but remains challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel, efficient, and specific fluorescent probes for the Golgi apparatus (GA) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
- To establish an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) platform for creating these advanced cellular imaging tools.
Main Methods:
- Facile synthesis and functionalization of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecules.
- Development of AIE-based probes, termed AIE-GA and AIE-ER, targeting the GA and ER.
- Evaluation of probe performance including targeting specificity, photostability, brightness, and working concentration.
- Molecular docking calculations to elucidate the targeting mechanism.
Main Results:
- Successfully constructed an AIE platform for GA and ER fluorescent probes (AIE-GA and AIE-ER).
- Demonstrated excellent targeting specificity for the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum.
- AIE-GA and AIE-ER exhibited remarkable photostability, high brightness, and required low working concentrations.
- The probes outperformed commercially available alternatives in key performance metrics.
- Molecular docking validated the precise targeting mechanisms of the AIE probes.
Conclusions:
- The developed AIE probes (AIE-GA and AIE-ER) represent a significant advancement in cellular organelle imaging.
- These probes offer superior specificity, brightness, and photostability for visualizing the GA and ER.
- The AIE platform provides a promising strategy for creating next-generation fluorescent probes for subcellular organelle research and disease biomarker applications.
