Cucurbit[7]uril Complexation of Near-Infrared Fluorescent Azobenzene-Cyanine Conjugates

Imaging GPCR Dimerization in Living Cells with Cucurbit[7]uril and Hemicyanine as a "Turn-On" Fluorescence Probe

Although multiple forms of dimers have been described for GPCR, their dynamics and function are still controversially discussed field. Fluorescence microscopy allows GPCR to be imaged within their native context; however, a key challenge is to site-specifically incorporate reporter moieties that can produce high-quality signals upon formation of GPCR dimers. To this end, we propose a supramolecular sensor approach to detect agonist-induced dimer formation of μ-opioid receptors (μORs) at the surface of intact cells. With the macrocyclic host cucurbit[7]uril and its guest hemicyanine dye tethered to aptamer strands directed against the histidine residues, the sensing module is assembled by host-guest complexation once the histidine-tagged μORs dimerize and bring the discrete supramolecular units into close proximity. With the enhanced sensitivity attributed by the "turn-on" fluorescence emission and high specificity afforded by the intermolecular recognition, in situ visualization of dynamic GPCR dimerization was realized with high precision, thereby validating the supramolecular sensing entity as a sophisticated and versatile strategy to investigate GPCR dimers, which represent an obvious therapeutic target.

Supramolecular Complexation of Azobenzene Dyes by Cucurbit[7]uril

This report describes cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) complexation of azobenzene dyes that have a 4-(N,N'-dimethylamino) or 4-amino substituent. Absorption and NMR data show that CB7 encapsulates the protonated form of the azobenzene and that the complexed dye exists as its azonium tautomer with a trans azo conformation and substantial quinoid resonance character. Because CB7 complexation stabilizes the dye conjugate acid, there is an upward shift in its pKa, and in one specific case, the pKa of the protonated azobenzene is increased from 3.09 to 4.47. Molecular modeling indicates that the CB7/azobenzene complex is stabilized by three major noncovalent factors: (i) ion-dipole interactions between the partially cationic 4-(N,N'-dimethylamino) or 4-amino group on the encapsulated protonated azobenzene and the electronegative carbonyl oxygens on CB7, (ii) inclusion of the upper aryl ring of the azobenzene within the hydrophobic CB7 cavity, and (iii) a hydrogen bond between the proton on the azo nitrogen and CB7 carbonyls. CB7 complexation enhances azobenzene stability and increases azobenzene hydrophilicity; thus, it is a promising way to improve azobenzene performance as a pigment or prodrug. In addition, the striking yellow/pink color change that accompanies CB7 complexation can be exploited to create azobenzene dye displacement assays with naked eye detection.

A Fluorescein-Substituted Perbrominated Dodecaborate Cluster as an Anchor Dye for Large Macrocyclic Hosts and Its Application in Indicator Displacement Assays

Perhalogenated boron clusters derived from B₁₂Br₁₂^2-, a superchaotropic dianion with a globular icosahedral shape, serve as inorganic cavity binders for cyclodextrins (CDs), in particular for large CDs (γ-CD and δ-CD), with high binding affinity (K_a > 10⁶ M^-1) in aqueous solution. This opens the door for applications of this anchoring moiety by linking it to organic residues, prominently fluorescent dyes. We report here the synthesis of a novel fluorescein-substituted perbrominated dodecaborate cluster by a copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne click reaction. The formation of host-guest inclusion complexes between the dodecaborate-modified fluorescein dye and CDs can be readily followed by optical titrations, which afforded a binding constant of ∼1 × 10⁴ M^-1 with γ-CD; that is, the cluster functionalization allows binding of an otherwise nonbinding dye to the macrocycle ("anchor dye"). The formation of the 1:1 host-guest inclusion complex between the dye and γ-CD occurs over a broad range of pH values, which allows its application as a sensitive reporter pair according to the indicator displacement method, e.g., for drug detection. In addition, the substituted dye shows outer-wall binding to cucurbiturils through the dodecaborate moiety, leading to the formation of aggregates and significant fluorescence quenching of the dye.