Remote light-controlled intracellular target recognition by photochromic fluorescent glycoprobes

Junji Zhang, Youxin Fu, Hai-Hao Han, Yi Zang, Jia Li (), Xiao-Peng He (), Ben L. Feringa and He Tian ()
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Junji Zhang: East China University of Science and Technology
Youxin Fu: East China University of Science and Technology
Hai-Hao Han: East China University of Science and Technology
Yi Zang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jia Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiao-Peng He: East China University of Science and Technology
Ben L. Feringa: University of Groningen
He Tian: East China University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Development of powerful fluorescence imaging probes and techniques sets the basis for the spatiotemporal tracking of cells at different physiological and pathological stages. While current imaging approaches rely on passive probe–analyte interactions, here we develop photochromic fluorescent glycoprobes capable of remote light-controlled intracellular target recognition. Conjugation between a fluorophore and spiropyran produces the photochromic probe, which is subsequently equipped with a glycoligand “antenna” to actively localize a target cell expressing a selective receptor. We demonstrate that the amphiphilic glycoprobes that form micelles in water can selectively enter the target cell to operate photochromic cycling as controlled by alternate UV/Vis irradiations. We further show that remote light conversion of the photochromic probe from one isomeric state to the other activates its reactivity toward a target intracellular analyte, producing locked fluorescence that is no longer photoisomerizable. We envision that this research may spur the use of photochromism for the development of bioimaging probes.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01137-8

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