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Single- and two-photon-induced Förster resonance energy transfer in InP-mCherry bioconjugates
Devika Rajan1, Ananthu Muraleedharan1,2, Anjali Variyar2
1School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM), Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram 695551, India.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|January 31, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a novel bioprobe using indium phosphide quantum dots and the mCherry fluorescent protein. This Förster resonance energy transfer system enables efficient energy transfer for advanced biological imaging applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Nanomedicine
- Quantum Dot Applications
- Fluorescent Protein Engineering
Background:
- Indium phosphide (InP) quantum dots (QDs) offer non-toxic alternatives with superior optical properties for bioprobes.
- Conjugation of InP QDs with fluorescent proteins is an underexplored area for developing advanced biosensing tools.
- Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a powerful technique for studying molecular interactions and energy transfer dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) pair using glutathione-capped InP/GaP/ZnS quantum dots [InP(G)] and the fluorescent protein mCherry.
- To investigate the bioconjugation efficiency between InP(G) QDs and mCherry.
- To explore both one-photon and two-photon-induced nonradiative energy transfer between the InP(G) QDs and mCherry.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of glutathione-capped InP/GaP/ZnS quantum dots [InP(G)].
- Bioconjugation of InP(G) QDs with hexahistidine-tagged mCherry fluorescent protein.
- Steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic measurements to analyze energy transfer dynamics.
- Investigation of one-photon and two-photon excitation mechanisms for FRET.
Main Results:
- Successful bioconjugation of InP(G) QDs with mCherry was achieved.
- Demonstrated nonradiative energy transfer from InP(G) QDs to mCherry upon selective excitation.
- Confirmed energy transfer through emission quenching of donor and sensitized emission of acceptor.
- Investigated and confirmed two-photon-induced energy transfer, showing a quadratic dependence on excitation power.
Conclusions:
- The developed InP(G)/mCherry FRET pair exhibits efficient nonradiative energy transfer.
- Two-photon excitation capability offers advantages for deep tissue imaging and reduced photodamage.
- This system holds significant potential for diverse biological imaging and optoelectronic applications.
