A novel mitochondrial-targeting near-infrared fluorescent probe for imaging γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in living cells. Issue 22 (9th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Haijuan; Liu, Feng; Wang, Fenglin; Yu, Ru-Qin; Jiang, Jian-Hui
• Is Part Of: Analyst. Volume 143:Issue 22(2018)
• Page Start: 5530
• Page End: 5535
• Publication Date: 2018-10-09
• Subjects: Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; 543
• DOI: 10.1039/c8an01460d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-2654

Abstract

Abstract : A mitochondrial-targeting near infrared fluorescent probe with high sensitivity, excellent selectivity and desirable response rate is designed for GGT. Abstract : γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) plays an essential role in regulating cellular glutathione and cysteine homeostasis, and its abnormal elevation is associated with different diseases including cancers. Here a novel mitochondrial-targeting near-infrared fluorescent probe was designed for GGT by conjugating glutamate acid to a newly synthesized amine hemicyanine fluorophore. The fluorescent probe was initially non-emissive due to the formation of an amide bond which destroyed the electronic-donating ability of the amine moiety and disrupted the push–pull structure. GGT-mediated cleavage of the γ-glutamyl bond regenerated the initial fluorophore with distinct intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and activated the fluorescence signal. The fluorescent probe displayed a linear relationship to the concentration of GGT in the range of 1.0–90 U L −1, with an estimated limit of detection (LOD) of 0.4 U L −1 . Its ability to target and image mitochondrial GGT activity was demonstrated in living cells with high specificity and fast response. We believe our near-infrared fluorescent probe could have great potential in imaging mitochondrial GGT activity and elucidating GGT-associated pathological consequences in living cells and even small animal models.