Full-range intracellular pH sensing by an aggregation-induced emission-active two-channel ratiometric fluorogen

J Am Chem Soc. 2013 Apr 3;135(13):4926-9. doi: 10.1021/ja400337p. Epub 2013 Mar 26.

Abstract

Intracellular pH (pHi) is an important parameter associated with cellular behaviors and pathological conditions. Sensing pHi and monitoring its changes in live cells are essential but challenging due to the lack of effective probes. We herein report a pH-sensitive fluorogen for pHi sensing and tracking. The dye is a tetraphenylethene-cyanine adduct (TPE-Cy). It is biocompatible and cell-permeable. Upon diffusing into cells, it responds sensitively to pHi in the entire physiological range, visualizing the acidic and basic compartments with intense red and blue emissions, respectively. The ratiometric signal of the red and blue channels can thus serve as an indicator for local proton concentration. The utility of TPE-Cy in pHi imaging and monitoring is demonstrated with the use of confocal microscopy, ratiometric analysis, and flow cytometry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkanesulfonic Acids / chemistry*
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Molecular Structure
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Alkanesulfonic Acids
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Indoles
  • TPE-Cy-H