Abstract:Three water-soluble tetracationic quadrupolar chromophores comprising two three-coordinate boron -acceptor groups bridged by thiophene-containing moieties were synthesised for biological imaging applications. The derivative 3 containing the bulkier 5-(3,5-Me2C6H2)-2,2′-(C4H2S)2-5′-(3,5-Me2C6H2) bridge is stable over a long period of time, exhibits a high fluorescence quantum yield and strong one-(OPA) and two-photon absorption (TPA), with a TPA cross-section of 268 GM at 800 nm in water. Confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy studies in live cells indicate localisation of the chromophore at the mitochondria; moreover, cytotoxicity measurements prove biocompatibilty. Thus, chromophore 3 has excellent potential for one-and two-photon excited fluorescence imaging of mitochondrial function in cells.
Presentation of therapeutic proteins on material surfaces is challenged by random immobilization chemistries through lysine or cysteine residues, typically leading to heterogeneous product outcome. Pharmaceutical quality standards warrant a controlled process ideally through site specific conjugation. Therefore, we deployed genetic codon expansion to engineer a propargyl-L-lysine (Plk)-modified FGF-2 analogue, enabling site-specific copper(I)-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). Site-specific decoration of Plk-FGF-2 to particles sparked cell proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells in a spatially controlled manner around the decorated carrier, rendering this approach instrumental for the future design of quality-improved bioinstructive scaffold outcome.
Bio-orthogonal copper (I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) has been widely used to modify azide- or alkyne-bearing monosaccharides on metabolic glyco-engineered mammalian cells. Here, we present a systematic study to elucidate the design space for the cytotoxic effects of the copper catalyst on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and on HEK 293-F cells. Monitoring membrane integrity by flow cytometry and RT-PCR analysis with apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers elucidated the general feasibility of CuAAC, with exposure time of the CuAAC reaction mixture having the major influence on biocompatibility. A high labeling efficiency of HEK 293-F cells with a fluorescent alkyne dye was rapidly achieved by CuAAC in comparison to copper free strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC). The study details effective and biocompatible conditions for CuAAC-based modification of glyco-engineered cells in comparison to its copper free alternative.
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