Near-infrared fluorescent probe with a large Stokes shift for bioimaging of β-galactosidase in living cells and zebrafish develop at different period

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta 2022-11, Vol.1232, p.340459-340459, Article 340459
• Main Authors: Chen, Shijun, Niu, Kang, Wang, Lin, Wu, Yuanyuan, Hou, Shicong, Ma, Xiaodong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fluorescent probe; In vivo; Near-infrared; Zebrafish; β-Galactosidase
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340459

Overexpression of β-galactosidase (β-gal) in tumor cells may serve as a valuable biomarker for the early diagnosis of some cancers (such as ovarian cancer). In addition, abnormal accumulation of β-gal is also considered an essential marker of cell senescence. Therefore, it is important to construct fluorescent probes with excellent fluorescence properties to visualize β-gal in biological systems. Here, we designed and screened a novel fluorescent probe XM for the detection of β-gal. Spectral data show that the probe has a good affinity (Km = 2.6 μM) for β-gal, large stokes shift (190 nm), fast response speed (stable within 20 min), and low detection limit (6.7 × 10−3 U/mL). Based on the above advantages, XM can not only detect β-gal content in cancer cells but also track the changes of β-gal content in zebrafish at different developmental period. We believe XM will become a powerful tool for the early cancer diagnosis and cellular senescence. [Display omitted] •The probe has a long emission wavelength (764 nm) and a large stokes shift (194 nm).•The probe has the function of visualizing β-gal in cancer cells and live zebrafish.•High selectivity and rapid response to β-gal.