Modulating the GSH/Trx selectivity of a fluorogenic disulfide-based thiol sensor to reveal diminished GSH levels under ER stress

Chem Commun (Camb). 2018 Aug 7;54(64):8897-8900. doi: 10.1039/c8cc04846k.

Abstract

We synthesized a fluorogenic disulfide-based naphthalimide thiol probe (ER-Naph) with a hydrophilic endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-guiding glibenclamide unit. Its ER targeting ability and high selectivity to GSH over thioredoxin, a potent competitor, were clearly demonstrated, both in solution and in vitro. Finally, a confocal microscopic investigation revealed that GSH levels in the ER were dramatically decreased under thapsigargin, brefeldin A, and tunicamycin-induced ER stress models.