Electron transfer-triggered imaging of EGFR signaling activity

Jie Tan, Hao Li, Cailing Ji, Lei Zhang, Chenxuan Zhao, Liming Tang, Caixin Zhang, Zhijun Sun (), Weihong Tan () and Quan Yuan ()
Additional contact information
Jie Tan: Hunan University
Hao Li: Wuhan University
Cailing Ji: Hunan University
Lei Zhang: Hunan University
Chenxuan Zhao: Zhejiang University
Liming Tang: Hunan University
Caixin Zhang: Hunan University
Zhijun Sun: Wuhan University
Weihong Tan: Hunan University
Quan Yuan: Hunan University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract In vivo electron transfer processes are closely related to the activation of signaling pathways, and, thus, affect various life processes. Indeed, the signaling pathway activation of key molecules may be associated with certain diseases. For example, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is related to the occurrence and development of tumors. Hence, monitoring the activation of EGFR-related signaling pathways can help reveal the progression of tumor development. However, it is challenging for current detection methods to monitor the activation of specific signaling pathways in complex biochemical reactions. Here we designed a highly sensitive and specific nanoprobe that enables in vivo imaging of electronic transfer over a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. By using the ferrocene-DNA polymer “wire”, the electrons transferred in a biochemical reaction can flow to persistent luminescent nanoparticles and change their electron distribution, thereby altering the optical signal of the particles. This electron transfer-triggered imaging probe enables mapping the activation of EGFR-related signaling pathways in a temporally and spatially precise manner. By offering precise visualization of signaling activity, this approach may offer a general platform not only for understanding molecular mechanisms in various biological processes but also for promoting disease therapies and drug evaluation.

Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-28213-y Abstract (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28213-y

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28213-y

Access Statistics for this article

Nature Communications is currently edited by Nathalie Le Bot, Enda Bergin and Fiona Gillespie

More articles in Nature Communications from Nature
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().