pH dependence of the fluorescence lifetime of FAD in solution and in cells

Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Jan 18;14(1):1952-63. doi: 10.3390/ijms14011952.

Abstract

We have studied physiological parameters in a living cell using fluorescence lifetime imaging of endogenous chromophores. In this study, pH dependence of the fluorescence lifetime of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), that is a significant cofactor exhibiting autofluorescence, has been investigated in buffer solution and in cells. The fluorescence lifetime of FAD remained unchanged with pH 5 to 9 in solution. However, the fluorescence lifetime in HeLa cells was found to decrease with increasing intracellular pH, suggesting that pH in a single cell can be estimated from the fluorescence lifetime imaging of FAD without adding exogenous fluorescent probes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide / chemistry*
  • Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide / metabolism
  • Fluorescence*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

Substances

  • Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide