Ratiometric Imaging of γ-Glutamyl Transpeptidase Unperturbed by pH, Polarity, and Viscosity Changes: A Benzocoumarin-Based Two-Photon Fluorescent Probe

Anal Chem. 2019 Nov 5;91(21):14101-14108. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03942. Epub 2019 Oct 11.

Abstract

γ-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) is involved in maintaining the intracellular glutathione levels and, at its elevated levels, is associated with various diseases including cancer and myocardial infarction. To study this enzyme in biological systems, fluorescent probes have received significant attention recently. As fluorescence signal is sensitive to environmental fluctuations; however, it is challenging to address the signal fluctuation issue. Disclosed is the benzocoumarin-based probe that enables ratiometric imaging of GGT activity levels in cells as well as in tissues, essentially unperturbed by medium pH, viscosity, and polarity changes. Validity of the probe is demonstrated by determining the GGT activity level in HeLa cells directly through ratiometric imaging. Furthermore, the probe and its enzymatic product are two-photon absorbing, extending its applicability to tissue: an 8.5-fold higher level of GGT in cancerous tissue over the normal tissue is determined, and the GGT activity levels between different mouse organ tissues are quantitatively compared with the highest level in the kidney. The probe with practicality holds great promise for studying GGT-associated biological processes directly through ratiometric imaging by two-photon microscopy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Coumarins / chemical synthesis
  • Coumarins / chemistry*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemical synthesis
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Molecular Structure
  • Optical Imaging*
  • Photons*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Viscosity
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / analysis*
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / metabolism

Substances

  • Coumarins
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase