Fluorogenic probes for imaging cellular phosphatase activity. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCullough, Brandon S.; Barrios, Amy M.
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in chemical biology. Volume 57(2020)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Protein phosphatase -- Fluorescent probe -- Cellular imaging; Bioorganic chemistry -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Clinical biochemistry -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Chimie bio-organique -- Périodiques; Biologie -- Périodiques; 572.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.04.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-5931

Abstract

Abstract: The ability to visualize enzyme activity in a cell, tissue, or living organism can greatly enhance our understanding of the biological roles of that enzyme. While many aspects of cellular signaling are controlled by reversible protein phosphorylation, our understanding of the biological roles of the protein phosphatases involved is limited. Here, we provide an overview of progress toward the development of fluorescent probes that can be used to visualize the activity of protein phosphatases. Significant advances include the development of probes with visible and near-infrared (near-IR) excitation and emission profiles, which provides greater tissue and whole-animal imaging capabilities. In addition, the development of peptide-based probes has provided some selectivity for a phosphatase of interest. Key challenges involve the difficulty of achieving sufficient selectivity for an individual member of a phosphatase enzyme family and the necessity of fully validating the best probes before they can be adopted widely.