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Ultrabright Xanthene Fluorescence Probe for Mitochondrial Super-Resolution Imaging
Ziyong Wu1, Chuangli Zhang1,2, Jie Sha2
1Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Tumor Markers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Medicine, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, P.R. China.
Analytical Chemistry
|March 20, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed Me-hNR, an ultrabright fluorescent probe for super-resolution imaging of mitochondria. This probe offers enhanced brightness and stability, aiding in disease research by visualizing mitochondrial structures.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Mitochondria are vital organelles for cellular energy production.
- Mitochondrial structural changes are linked to various diseases.
- Super-resolution imaging of mitochondria is crucial but faces challenges with current fluorescent probes, particularly regarding brightness and stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize an ultrabright xanthene fluorescence probe, Me-hNR.
- To evaluate Me-hNR for mitochondria-specific super-resolution imaging using structured illumination microscopy (SIM).
- To assess the probe's photophysical properties, stability, and imaging performance.
Main Methods:
- Rational synthesis of the xanthene-based fluorescence probe Me-hNR.
- Photophysical characterization including fluorescence quantum yield and brightness measurements.
- Mitochondrial super-resolution imaging using structured illumination microscopy (SIM) at ultralow concentrations.
- Analysis of photophysical processes, including radiative and nonradiative decay pathways.
Main Results:
- Me-hNR exhibits an ultrahigh fluorescence quantum yield (up to 0.92) and brightness (up to 16,000).
- The probe demonstrates excellent stability due to its rigid xanthene structure and methyl group substitution.
- Me-hNR specifically targets mitochondria at concentrations as low as 5 nM.
- Achieved unprecedented spatial resolution for mitochondria with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 174 nm via SIM.
Conclusions:
- Me-hNR is a highly effective ultrabright fluorescent probe for mitochondria-specific super-resolution imaging.
- Its superior brightness, stability, and specificity enable detailed visualization of mitochondrial structures.
- Me-hNR holds significant potential for studying mitochondrial dynamics and related disease pathogenesis using SIM.
