A novel ‘‘donor-two-acceptor’’ type fluorophore-based probe for fast detection and intracellular imaging of nitroreductase

• Published in: Dyes and pigments 2017-01, Vol.136, p.627-632
• Main Authors: Li, Dandan, Xu, Yuqiong, Zhou, Nannan, Liu, Jianxu, Wang, Rui, Cheng, Tao, Tang, Yun, Zhu, Weiping, Xu, Yufang, Qian, Xuhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0143-7208; 1873-3743
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2016.09.014

By fusion of HBT and hemicyanine, we have designed a novel donor-two-acceptor type fluorophore (HHC) as a platform for the detection of different kinds of guests. HHC displays an emission at 580 nm in aqueous solution and two emission bands at 450 nm and 616 nm as a result of the donor-two-acceptor feature with the existance of CTAB. The fluorescence of HHC may be readily modulated by protection/deprotection of its electron-donating hydroxyl group and response different guests. As an example, we introduced p-nitrobenzyl group, which is sensitive to Nitroreductase (NTR), to the hydroxyl group of HHC and constructed a novel selective and sensitive fluorescence probe HHCP for fast detection and intracellular imaging of nitroreductase. By fusion of HBT and hemicyanine, a novel donor-two-acceptor type fluorophore (HHC) was developed as a platform for the detection of different kinds of guests. As an example, we introduced p-nitrobenzyl group, which is sensitive to Nitroreductase (NTR), to the hydroxyl group of HHC and constructed a novel selective and sensitive fluorescence probe HHCP for fast detection and intracellular imaging of nitroreductase. [Display omitted] •A novel donor-two-acceptor type fluorophore (HHC) for the detection of different guests was designed and synthesized.•The fluorescence of HHC may be modulated by protection/deprotection of its electron donor and response different guests.•A novel selective and sensitive fluorescence probe HHCP for fast detection and intracellular imaging of nitroreductase.