Design, Synthesis, and Biological Application of Fluorescent Sensor Molecules for Cellular Imaging
August 2nd, 2009 Posted by: admin
Cellular imaging has achieved many new biological findings, among them GFP and other fluorescent proteins and small molecule
based fluorescent sensors have been widely used, especially in the last decade. The design concept and application of chemical
sensors are described, these being FRET based sensors and Zn2+ sensors.
based fluorescent sensors have been widely used, especially in the last decade. The design concept and application of chemical
sensors are described, these being FRET based sensors and Zn2+ sensors.
Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) has been used extensively as the designing principle for fluorescent sensor
molecules. One of the most significant advantages of designing sensor molecules with FRET modulation is that it can enable
ratiometric measurement in living cells, which reduces the artifact from microscopic imaging systems. The design strategy
for the development of small molecular FRET sensors is described in terms of avoiding close contact of donor fluorophore and
acceptor fluorophore in aqueous solution. Furthermore, a strategy to design FRET sensors with modulating overlap integrals
of donor and acceptor is introduced.
molecules. One of the most significant advantages of designing sensor molecules with FRET modulation is that it can enable
ratiometric measurement in living cells, which reduces the artifact from microscopic imaging systems. The design strategy
for the development of small molecular FRET sensors is described in terms of avoiding close contact of donor fluorophore and
acceptor fluorophore in aqueous solution. Furthermore, a strategy to design FRET sensors with modulating overlap integrals
of donor and acceptor is introduced.
Numerous tools for Zn2+ sensing in living cells have become available in the last 8 years. Among them, fluorescence imaging using fluorescent sensor
molecules has been the most popular approach. Some of these sensor molecules can be used to visualize Zn2+ in living cells. Some of the biological functions of Zn2+ were clarified using these sensor molecules, especially in neuronal cells, which contain a high concentration of free Zn2
+.
molecules has been the most popular approach. Some of these sensor molecules can be used to visualize Zn2+ in living cells. Some of the biological functions of Zn2+ were clarified using these sensor molecules, especially in neuronal cells, which contain a high concentration of free Zn2
+.
- Content Type Book Chapter
- DOI 10.1007/10_2008_42
- Authors
- Kazuya Kikuchi, Osaka University Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita City 565-0871 Osaka Japan
- Book Series Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology
- Online ISSN 1616-8542
- Print ISSN 0724-6145
