Fluorescent probes constructed based on conformationally-adaptive fluorophores for the in-situ visualization of lipid droplets

doi:10.7503/cjcu20250204

Chem. J. Chinese Universities

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Fluorescent probes constructed based on conformationally-adaptive fluorophores for the in-situ visualization of lipid droplets

ZHOU Yichao¹， TIAN He¹， HAN Haihao²， WANG Chenhan¹， HU XiLe¹， HE Xiaopeng^1*

1. Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering， Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center， Frontiers Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry， School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering， East China University of Science and Technology 2. Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery， Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery

Received:2025-07-22 Revised:2025-09-27 Online:2025-10-30 Published:2025-10-30
Contact: Xiao-Peng HE E-mail:xphe@ecust.edu.cn
Supported by:
Supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China(Nos.92253306， 82130099， 22477030)

1. ESM to 20250204.pdf(911KB)

Abstract

Abstract: A ratiometric fluorescent probe TPP-DPAC capable of simultaneously labeling lipid droplets (LD) and mitochondria was constructed by coupling N,N '-diphenyl-dihydrobenzo [a, c] phenazine (DPAC) characteristic of dual-fluorescence emission with a mitochondrial-targeting group triphenylphosphine (TPP). By incubating the probe with HepG2 cells pretreated with oleic acid (OA) for LD production, the simultaneous fluorescence imaging of LDs and mitochondria was achieved applying two emission channels, with a high Pearson’s coefficient of 0.96 and 0.95 when overlapped with commercial LD and mitochondrial tracker, respectively. The fluorescence emission of the probe was shown to be adaptable to the surrounding microenvironment, thus exhibiting a subtle blue-to-red emission change upon the generation of LDs. This unique feature makes it possible to track the generation of LDs and their interactions with mitochondria in real time. This study offers a new chemical tool for the study of LD dynamics and the crosstalk between LDs and other subcellular organelles during various physiological and pathological processes.

Key words: Fluorescent probe, Lipid droplet, Mitochondria, Fluorescence imaging

CLC Number:

O657

TrendMD:

ZHOU Yichao, TIAN He, HAN Haihao, WANG Chenhan, HU XiLe, HE Xiaopeng. Fluorescent probes constructed based on conformationally-adaptive fluorophores for the in-situ visualization of lipid droplets[J]. Chem. J. Chinese Universities, doi: 10.7503/cjcu20250204.

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Fluorescent probes constructed based on conformationally-adaptive fluorophores for the in-situ visualization of lipid droplets

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