Cycling Molecular Assemblies (CyMA) for Ultrasensitive Golgi Imaging

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Imaging
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The Golgi apparatus is crucial for intracellular trafficking.
• Current dynamic visualization methods for the Golgi are limited by high probe concentrations and long incubation times.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, ultrasensitive probe for dynamic visualization of the Golgi apparatus.
• To overcome limitations of existing probes for live-cell and in vivo imaging.

Main Methods:

• Designed cycling molecular assemblies (CyMA) that harness endogenous enzymatic futile cycles.
• Utilized reversible palmitoylation-depalmitoylation mediated by specific enzymes.
• Developed the BODIPY-CyMA probe for ultrasensitive Golgi imaging.

Main Results:

• Achieved Golgi morphology imaging at concentrations as low as 100 pM.
• Enabled real-time tracking of Golgi dynamics within minutes at nanomolar levels.
• Demonstrated minimal incubation time, negligible cytotoxicity, and in vivo functionality in Drosophila larvae.

Conclusions:

• BODIPY-CyMA provides a general strategy for creating dynamic, non-perturbative probes.
• Coupling molecular self-assembly to enzymatic cycles enhances imaging sensitivity and dynamics.
• This approach advances live-cell and in vivo imaging capabilities for organelle studies.