Deep-red fluorescent imaging probe for bacteria.

Abstract

A versatile deep-red fluorescent imaging probe is described that is comprised of a bis(zinc(II)-dipicolylamine) targeting unit covalently attached to a pentamethine carbocyanine fluorophore with Cy5-like spectroscopic properties. A titration assay based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer is used to prove that the probe selectively associates with anionic vesicle membranes whose composition mimics bacterial cell membranes. Whole-body optical imaging experiments show that the probe associates with the surfaces of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria cells, and it can target the site of bacterial infection in a living mouse. In vivo accumulation at the infection site and subsequent clearance occurs more quickly than a structurally related near-infrared bis(zinc(II)-dipicolylamine) probe. The fact that the same deep-red probe molecule can be used for spectroscopic assays, cell microscopy, and in vivo imaging studies, is an important and attractive technical feature.

• Authors: Alexander G White, Brian D Gray, Koon Yan Pak, Bradley D Smith
• Journal: Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters (Bioorg Med Chem Lett) Vol. 22 Issue 8 Pg. 2833-6 (Apr 15 2012) ISSN: 1464-3405 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22424976 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Fluorescent Dyes
• Luminescent Proteins
• Organometallic Compounds
• Picolinic Acids
• bis-dipicolylamine-Zinc(II)
• red fluorescent protein
• Water

Topics

• Animals
• Bacterial Infections (diagnosis)
• Fluorescent Dyes (chemical synthesis, chemistry, metabolism)
• Luminescent Proteins (chemistry, metabolism)
• Mice
• Organometallic Compounds (chemical synthesis, chemistry, metabolism)
• Picolinic Acids (chemical synthesis, chemistry, metabolism)
• Solubility
• Water (chemistry)