Fluorescent Light-up Probe for the Detection of Protein Aggregates

Abstract

A fluorescent dye was decorated with water-soluble pyridinium groups in order to be applied in the detection of cyclodextrins or DNA. The dye displays an enhancement of its emission intensity when the internal rotations are restricted due to the formation of an inclusion complex with cyclodextrins or upon interaction with DNA. In vivo, the fluorescent probe can stain protein aggregates with a selectivity comparable to the widely used Proteostat®.

Keywords: DNA; aggregation-induced emission enhancement; cyclodextrins; fluorescent probes; protein aggregates.