Reaction-based fluorescent sensor for investigating mobile Zn2+ in mitochondria of healthy versus cancerous prostate cells

Super-aperture metrology: overcoming a fundamental limit in imaging smooth highly curved surfaces

The imaging of smooth, highly curved or tilted surfaces is widely recognized as one of the most challenging and unsolved problems in optical imaging and metrology today. The reason is that even when such surfaces are imaged using high aperture microscope objectives the steepness of the features causes the light to be reflected in such a way that it is not captured by the lens. This is true even in the limiting case of unity numerical aperture since the illuminating light may also be reflected in the forward direction. In order to overcome this fundamental problem we have developed a method whereby such specimens are covered with a readily removable organic fluorescent film thereby creating an isotropic scattering surface. We show that we are readily able to detect slopes with angles close 90° using a 0.75 NA objective--an 82% improvement over the theoretical aperture limit. Issues of variation in film thickness deposition are shown to be readily accommodated. This approach may be used with other fluorophore materials, organic or inorganic, since there is no need for biocompatibility in this application.

Analyzing free zinc(II) ion concentrations in cell biology with fluorescent chelating molecules

Essential metal ions are tightly controlled in biological systems. An understanding of metal metabolism and homeostasis is being developed from quantitative information of the sizes, concentrations, and dynamics of cellular and subcellular metal ion pools. In the case of human zinc metabolism, minimally 24 proteins of two zinc transporter families and a dozen metallothioneins participate in cellular uptake, extrusion, and re-distribution among cellular compartments. Significantly, zinc(ii) ions are now considered signaling ions in intra- and intercellular communication. Such functions require transients of free zinc ions. It is experimentally quite challenging to distinguish zinc that is protein-bound from zinc that is not bound to proteins. Measurement of total zinc is relatively straightforward with analytical techniques such as atomic absorption/emission spectroscopy or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Total zinc concentrations of human cells are 200-300 μM. In contrast, the pool of non-protein bound zinc is mostly examined with fluorescence microscopy/spectroscopy. There are two widely applied fluorescence approaches, one employing low molecular weight chelating agents ("probes") and the other metal-binding proteins ("sensors"). The protein sensors, such as the CALWY, Zap/ZifCY, and carbonic anhydrase-based sensors, can be genetically encoded and have certain advantages in terms of controlling intracellular concentration, localization, and calibration. When employed correctly, both probes and sensors can establish qualitative differences in free zinc ion concentrations. However, when quantitative information is sought, the assumptions underlying the applications of probes and sensors must be carefully examined and even then measured pools of free zinc ions remain methodologically defined. A consensus is building that the steady-state free zinc ion concentrations in the cytosol are in the picomolar range but there is no consensus on their concentrations in subcellular compartments. Applying the extensive toolbox of available probes/sensors in biological systems requires an understanding of the principles of cellular zinc homeostasis and the chemical biology of the probes and sensors. Regardless of limitations in specificity (for a particular metal ion), selectivity (for a particular metal pool), and sensitivity (detection limit), the technology is making remarkable contributions to imaging zinc with high spatiotemporal resolution in single cells and to defining the biochemical functions of zinc ions in cellular regulation.

Intracellular zinc in insulin secretion and action: a determinant of diabetes risk?

Zinc is an important micronutrient, essential in the diet to avoid a variety of conditions associated with malnutrition such as diarrhoea and alopecia. Lowered circulating levels of zinc are also found in diabetes mellitus, a condition which affects one in twelve of the adult population and whose treatments consume approximately 10 % of healthcare budgets. Zn2+ ions are essential for a huge range of cellular functions and, in the specialised pancreatic β-cell, for the storage of insulin within the secretory granule. Correspondingly, genetic variants in the SLC30A8 gene, which encodes the diabetes-associated granule-resident Zn2+ transporter ZnT8, are associated with an altered risk of type 2 diabetes. Here, we focus on (i) recent advances in measuring free zinc concentrations dynamically in subcellular compartments, and (ii) studies dissecting the role of intracellular zinc in the control of glucose homeostasis in vitro and in vivo. We discuss the effects on insulin secretion and action of deleting or over-expressing Slc30a8 highly selectively in the pancreatic β-cell, and the role of zinc in insulin signalling. While modulated by genetic variability, healthy levels of dietary zinc, and hence normal cellular zinc homeostasis, are likely to play an important role in the proper release and action of insulin to maintain glucose homeostasis and lower diabetes risk.

Detection of Labile Low-Molecular-Mass Transition Metal Complexes in Mitochondria

Liquid chromatography was used with an online inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer to detect low-molecular-mass (LMM) transition metal complexes in mitochondria isolated from fermenting yeast cells, human Jurkat cells, and mouse brain and liver. These complexes constituted 20-40% of total mitochondrial Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu ions. The major LMM Mn complex in yeast mitochondria, called Mn1100, had a mass of ∼1100 Da and a concentration of ∼2 μM. Mammalian mitochondria contained a second Mn species with a mass of ∼2000 Da at a comparable concentration. The major Fe complex in mitochondria isolated from exponentially growing yeast cells had a mass of ∼580 Da; the concentration of Fe580 in mitochondria was ∼100 μM. When mitochondria were isolated from fermenting cells in postexponential phase, the mass of the dominant LMM Fe complex was ∼1100 Da. Upon incubation, the intensity of Fe1100 declined and that of Fe580 increased, suggesting that the two are interrelated. Mammalian mitochondria contained Fe580 and two other Fe species (Fe2000 and Fe1100) at concentrations of ∼50 μM each. The dominant LMM Zn species in mitochondria had a mass of ∼1200 Da and a concentration of ∼110 μM. Mammalian mitochondria contained a second major LMM Zn species at 1500 Da. The dominant LMM Cu species in yeast mitochondria had a mass of ∼5000 Da and a concentration in yeast mitochondria of ∼16 μM; Cu5000 was not observed in mammalian mitochondria. The dominant Co species in mitochondria, Co1200, had a concentration of 20 nM and was probably a cobalamin. Mammalian but not yeast mitochondria contained a LMM Mo species, Mo730, at a concentration of ∼1 μM. Increasing Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations 10-fold in the medium increased the concentration of the same element in the corresponding isolated mitochondria. Treatment with metal chelators confirmed that these LMM species were labile. The dominant S species at 1100 Da was not free glutathione or glutathione disulfide.

New photostable naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe for mitochondrial imaging and tracking

Monitoring mitochondria morphological changes temporally and spatially exhibits significant importance for diagnosing, preventing and treating various diseases related to mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the application of commercially available mitochondria trackers is limited due to their poor photostability. To overcome these disadvantages, we designed and synthesized a mitochondria-localized fluorescent probe by conjugating 1,8-naphthalimide with triphenylphosphonium (i.e. NPA-TPP). The structure and characteristic of NPA-TPP was characterized by UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, (1)HNMR, (13)CNMR, FTIR, MS, etc. The photostability and cell imaging were performed on the laser scanning confocal microscopy. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of NPA-TPP on cells was evaluated using (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. The results showed that NPA-TPP not only has high sensitivity and specificity to mitochondria, but also exhibits super-high photostability, negligible cytotoxicity and good water solubility. In short, NPA-TPP indicates great potential for targeting mitochondria and enables a real-time and long-term tracking mitochondrial dynamics changes.

Peptide-based, two-fluorophore, ratiometric probe for quantifying mobile zinc in biological solutions

Small-molecule fluorescent sensors are versatile agents for detecting mobile zinc in biology. Capitalizing on the abundance of validated mobile zinc probes, we devised a strategy for repurposing existing intensity-based sensors for quantitative applications. Using solid-phase peptide synthesis, we conjugated a zinc-sensitive Zinpyr-1 derivative and a zinc-insensitive 7-hydroxycoumarin derivative onto opposite ends of a rigid P₉K peptide scaffold to create HcZ9, a ratiometric fluorescent probe for mobile zinc. A plate reader-based assay using HcZ9 was developed, the accuracy of which is comparable to that of atomic absorption spectroscopy. We investigated zinc accumulation in prostatic cells and zinc levels in human seminal fluid. When normal and tumorigenic cells are bathed in zinc-enriched media, cellular mobile zinc is buffered and changes slightly, but total zinc levels increase significantly. Quantification of mobile and total zinc levels in human seminal plasma revealed that the two are positively correlated with a Pearson’s coefficient of 0.73.

“AND” luminescent “reactive” molecular logic gates: a gateway to multi-analyte bioimaging and biosensing

This feature article focuses on the recent development of “AND” luminescent molecular logic gates, in which the optical output is produced in response to multiple (bio)chemical inputs and through cascades of covalent bond-modifying reactions triggered by target (bio)analytes, for biosensing and bioimaging applications in complex media.

Highly selective fluorescence imaging of zinc distribution in HeLa cells and Arabidopsis using a naphthalene-based fluorescent probe

2-(N,N-Dimethylamino)naphthalene-based probe 1 was found to exhibit a dramatic enhancement in fluorescence upon addition of Zn²⁺, but not with any other metal ions.

Silicon-substituted xanthene dyes and their applications in bioimaging

Silicon-substituted xanthene structures are excellent platforms for far-red to near-infrared fluorophores. Fluorescent probes based on these xanthene dyes are reviewed with some illustrative applications.

A sensitive and efficient trifluoroacetyl-based aromatic fluorescent probe for organic amine vapour detection

Highly reversible, sensitive and efficient trifluoroacetyl-substituted fluorescent probes were designed for discriminating multiple trace organic amine vapours.

Advances in the molecular understanding of biological zinc transport

Recognition of the importance of zinc homeostasis for health has driven a surge in structural data on major zinc-transporting proteins.

Photoluminescence imaging of Zn2+in living systems

Advances in PL imaging techniques, such as confocal microscopy, two photon microscopy, lifetime and optical imaging techniques, have made remarkable contributions in Zn²⁺tracking.

Peptide Targeting of Fluorescein-Based Sensors to Discrete Intracellular Locales

Fluorescein-based sensors are the most widely applied class of zinc probes but display adventitious localization in live cells. We present here a peptide-based localization strategy that affords precision in targeting of fluorescein-based zinc sensors. By appending the zinc-selective, reaction-based probe Zinpyr-1 diacetate (DA-ZP1) to the N-terminus of two different targeting peptides we achieve programmable localization and avoid unwanted sequestration within acidic vesicles. Furthermore, this approach can be generalized to other fluorescein-based sensors. When appended to a mitochondrial targeting peptide, the esterase-activated profluorophore 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate can be used effectively at concentrations four-times lower than previously reported for analogous, non-acetylated derivatives. These results demonstrate on-resin or in-solution esterification of fluorescein to be an effective strategy to facilitate peptide-based targeting in live cells.

A mitochondria-targeted protonophoric uncoupler derived from fluorescein

Linking decyl-triphenyl-phosphonium to fluorescein yields a fluorescent probe that accumulates in energized mitochondria, facilitates proton transfer across membranes and stimulates mitochondrial respiration. This features a mitochondria-targeted uncoupler, being of potential interest for therapeutic use against oxidative stress-related diseases.

Mitochondria-targeted cancer therapy using a light-up probe with aggregation-induced-emission characteristics

Subcellular organelle-specific reagents for simultaneous tumor targeting, imaging, and treatment are of enormous interest in cancer therapy. Herein, we present a mitochondria-targeting probe (AIE-mito-TPP) by conjugating a triphenylphosphine (TPP) with a fluorogen which can undergo aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Owing to the more negative mitochondrial membrane potential of cancer cells than normal cells, the AIE-mito-TPP probe can selectively accumulate in cancer-cell mitochondria and light up its fluorescence. More importantly, the probe exhibits selective cytotoxicity for studied cancer cells over normal cells. The high potency of AIE-mito-TPP correlates with its strong ability to aggregate in mitochondria, which can efficiently decrease the mitochondria membrane potential and increase the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells. The mitochondrial light-up probe provides a unique strategy for potential image-guided therapy of cancer cells.

Covalent modification of a ten-residue cationic antimicrobial peptide with levofloxacin

The rampant spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria has spurred interest in alternative strategies for developing next-generation antibacterial therapies. As such, there has been growing interest in cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) and their therapeutic applications. Modification of CAMPs via conjugation to auxiliary compounds, including small molecule drugs, is a new approach to developing effective, broad-spectrum antibacterial agents with novel physicochemical properties and versatile antibacterial mechanisms. Here, we've explored design parameters for engineering CAMPs conjugated to small molecules with favorable physicochemical and antibacterial properties by covalently affixing a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, levofloxacin, to the ten-residue CAMP Pep-4. Relative to the unmodified Pep-4, the conjugate was found to demonstrate substantially increased antibacterial potency under high salt concentrations. Historically, it has been observed that most CAMPs lose antibacterial effectiveness in such high ionic strength environments, a fact that has presented a challenge to their development as therapeutics. Physicochemical studies revealed that P4LC was more hydrophobic than Pep-4, while mechanistic findings indicated that the conjugate was more effective at disrupting bacterial membrane integrity. Although the inherent antibacterial effect of the incorporated levofloxacin molecules did not appear to be substantially realized in this conjugate, these findings nevertheless suggest that covalent attachment of small molecule antibiotics with favorable physicochemical properties to CAMPs could be a promising strategy for enhancing peptide performance and overall therapeutic potential. These results have broader applicability to the development of future CAMP-antibiotic conjugates for potential therapeutic applications.

Engineering a DNA-cleaving DNAzyme and PCR into a simple sensor for zinc ion detection

The development of a simple sensor (9NL27-Zn) based on DNAzyme and PCR and aimed at the detection of low concentrations of zinc (II) ions is described. A specific Zn(II)-dependent DNAzyme (9NL27) with DNA-cleaving activity was employed. In the presence of zinc (II), the DNAzyme hydrolyzed DNA substrate into two pieces (5' and 3' fragments), forming 3'-terminal hydroxyl in the 5' fragment and 5'-phosphate in the 3' fragments. Subsequently, the 5' fragment left the DNAzyme and bound a short DNA template. The 5' fragment was used as a primer and extended a single-stranded full-length template by Taq polymerase. Finally, this full-length template was amplified by PCR. The amplified products had a quantitative relationship with Zn(II) concentration. Under our experimental conditions, the DNA sensor showed sensitivity (10 nM) and high specificity for zinc ion detection. After improvement of the DNA sensor, the detection limit can reach 1 nM. The simple DNA sensor may become a DNA model for the detection of trace amounts of other targets.

Zn(II)-coordination modulated ligand photophysical processes - the development of fluorescent indicators for imaging biological Zn(II) ions

Molecular photophysics and metal coordination chemistry are the two fundamental pillars that support the development of fluorescent cation indicators. In this article, we describe how Zn(II)-coordination alters various ligand-centered photophysical processes that are pertinent to developing Zn(II) indicators. The main aim is to show how small organic Zn(II) indicators work under the constraints of specific requirements, including Zn(II) detection range, photophysical requirements such as excitation energy and emission color, temporal and spatial resolutions in a heterogeneous intracellular environment, and fluorescence response selectivity between similar cations such as Zn(II) and Cd(II). In the last section, the biological questions that fluorescent Zn(II) indicators help to answer are described, which have been motivating and challenging this field of research.