Dual-Organelle-Targeted Fluorescent Probe for Lipid Droplets and Endoplasmic Reticulum Using Bay-Region Substituted...

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Imaging

Background:

• Lipid droplets (LDs) and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are vital organelles for cellular homeostasis and lipid metabolism.
• Simultaneous monitoring of LDs and ER interactions is challenging but crucial for understanding cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel fluorescent probe capable of dual-organelle targeting for LDs and ER.
• To enable simultaneous visualization and real-time monitoring of dynamic interactions between LDs and ER.

Main Methods:

• Design and synthesis of a perylene diimides (PDIs) based probe (LD-ER-PDI) with specific targeting groups for LDs and ER.
• Incorporation of a 2-azetidinone substituent for enhanced probe properties.
• Utilizing the probe to visualize organelle dynamics under starvation and oleic acid treatment.

Main Results:

• The LD-ER-PDI probe successfully discriminated between LDs and ER.
• Dynamic behaviors of LDs and ER were effectively visualized under various cellular conditions.
• Real-time monitoring of LD formation originating from the ER was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The developed LD-ER-PDI probe serves as a valuable tool for studying dynamic LD-ER interactions.
• This work presents a strategic approach for designing fluorescent probes targeting multiple organelles.