Protein encapsulation: a new approach for improving the capability of small-molecule fluorogenic probes

Abstract

Herein, we report a protein-based hybridization strategy that exploits the host–guest chemistry of HSA (human serum albumin) to solubilize the otherwise cell impermeable ONOO− fluorescent probe Pinkment-OAc.

A Deferasirox Derivative That Acts as a Multifaceted Platform for the Detection and Quantification of Fe3+

“…To gain further insights into the interactions between 2 and HSA, competition assays were performed using phenylbutazone (PB) and ibuprofen (ibu). These two drugs have been reported to bind predominantly to the IIA and IIIA regions of HSA, respectively [46]. The results shown in Figure 7c are consistent with competition between 2 and phenylbutazone.…”

“…The encapsulation of small molecules in HSA and other proteins has gained increasing attention in recent years since it allows the unique electronic environments inside the protein to be accessed while typically providing increased water solubility [46][47][48]. In our case, it was expected to lead to a fluorescent probe.…”

Protein Encapsulation: A Nanocarrier Approach to the Fluorescence Imaging of an Enzyme-Based Biomarker

“…However, as true for many near-planar dye systems, probes based on rhodamine often suffer from poor solubility or a tendency to aggregate in aqueous milieus. In the present instance, we have built upon recent proteinbased nanocarrier strategies (Han et al, 2020), to create an ACS-HNE/ Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) hybrid that displays enhanced solubility relative to ACS-HNE and which acts as a fluorescent probe that allows for enzyme-based imaging in RAW 264.7 cells. Despite the recent report of an NIR probe for NE detection in vitro and in vivo (Liu et al, 2019), we believe the rhodamine scaffold of ACS-HNE offers an excellent platform for further derivatisation.…”

Fluorescent Chemosensors for Ion and Molecule Recognition: The Next Chapter

“…Within this field, protein-based hybridization is an appealing strategy that exhibits ideal biocompatibility. A prominent example of this approach exploits the host-guest chemistry of human serum albumin (HSA) with highly lipophilic molecules such as cell impermeable and insoluble fluorescent probes (Sheng et al, 2014;Han et al, 2020;Jia et al, 2020;Sen et al, 2020;Sen et al, 2021).…”

“…The Pinkment-OAc ( 14)/HSA supramolecular hybrid was used in vitro to detect peroxynitrite (ONOO − ) with enhanced response (Han et al, 2020). Hybrid 14/HSA was used to monitor ONOO − in RAW 264.7 macrophages and HeLa cancer cells.…”