Mitochondria Penetrating Peptide-Conjugated TAMRA for Live-Cell Long-Term Tracking

Bioconjug Chem. 2019 Sep 18;30(9):2312-2316. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00465. Epub 2019 Aug 23.

Abstract

Mitochondria are essential targets for treatment of diseases with mitochondrial disorders such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondria penetrating peptides (MPPs) are composed of cationic and hydrophobic amino acids that can target and permeate the mitochondrial membrane. Herein, a novel d-argine-phenylalanine-d-argine-phenylalanine-d-argine-phenylalanine-NH2 (rFrFrF) was tagged with a rhodamine-based fluorescent chromophore (TAMRA). This probe (TAMRA-rFrFrF) exhibited advantageous properties for long-term mitochondria tracking as demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy. Cell viability assays and oxygen consumption rates indicate low cytotoxicity and high biocompatibility of the new contrast agent. Colocalization studies suggest that TAMRA-rFrFrF is a promising candidate for continuous mitochondrial tracking for up to 3 days.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Survival
  • Cell Tracking / methods*
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / chemistry*
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / metabolism*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Rhodamines / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Rhodamines