A STEDable BF₂-Azadipyrromethene Fluorophore for Nuclear Membrane and Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Imaging

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Microscopy
• Molecular Imaging

Background:

• The nuclear membrane and endoplasmic reticulum are crucial cellular components with complex interconnections.
• Simultaneous high-resolution imaging of these structures presents a significant technical challenge in cell biology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel fluorescent probe for simultaneous imaging of the nuclear membrane and endoplasmic reticulum.
• To assess the probe's compatibility with advanced microscopy techniques and its utility in identifying cellular abnormalities.

Main Methods:

• Development of a new molecular fluorophore, NM-ER, with an emission maximum at 650 nm.
• Testing NM-ER compatibility with fixed and live cell imaging, including stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy.
• Co-imaging experiments utilizing NM-ER with other fluorophores targeting DNA, nuclear pores, and lamina.

Main Results:

• NM-ER enables high-resolution imaging of the nuclear membrane and endoplasmic reticulum.
• STED microscopy with NM-ER significantly improves resolution compared to confocal laser scanning microscopy.
• NM-ER demonstrated versatility for co-imaging with other cellular labels, facilitating the identification of abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• The novel NM-ER fluorophore is a valuable tool for advanced cellular imaging.
• Its compatibility with STED microscopy and co-imaging applications makes it important for studying nuclear transport and related cellular processes.