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Updated: Aug 25, 2025
Assessment of Cellular Oxidation using a Subcellular Compartment-Specific Redox-Sensitive Green Fluorescent Protein
Published on: June 18, 2020
Oxidation state-specific fluorescent copper sensors reveal oncogene-driven redox changes that regulate labile
Aidan T Pezacki1, Carson D Matier1, Xingxing Gu2
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720.
Researchers developed a new fluorescent probe to detect copper(II) ions, crucial for understanding copper's role in diseases like cancer. This method specifically targets copper(II) without quenching fluorescence, offering a new tool for studying copper homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Chemical Biology
- Metallomics
Background:
- Copper is vital for life, utilizing redox cycling between Cu(I) and Cu(II).
- Imbalances in copper homeostasis are linked to cancer and other diseases.
- Existing fluorescent probes primarily detect Cu(I), with limited options for Cu(II) due to fluorescence quenching.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel sensing strategy for oxidation state-specific detection of Cu(II).
- To investigate the role of labile Cu(II) pools in cellular processes and disease.
Main Methods:
- Activity-based sensing strategy utilizing metal-directed acyl imidazole chemistry.
- Design and application of Copper-directed acyl imidazole 649 for Cu(II) (CD649.2) probe.
- Monitoring labile Cu(II) and Cu(I) levels under various cellular conditions.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated turn-on, oxidation state-specific detection of Cu(II).
- Identified divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) as a Cu(II) importer.
- Observed increases in labile Cu(II) under oxidative stress and with oncogenic mutations.
Conclusions:
- The CD649.2 probe enables foundational insights into labile Cu(II) pools.
- This method provides a new avenue for studying copper dysregulation in diseases.
- The findings highlight the dynamic interplay between copper redox states and cellular stress.
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