Dual‐Functionalisation of Fluorophores for the Preparation of Targeted and Selective Probes

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition Vol. 59; no. 46; pp. 20290 - 20301
• Main Authors: Trinh, Natalie, Jolliffe, Katrina A., New, Elizabeth J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 09.11.2020
• Edition: International ed. in English
• Subjects: Biological research; biosensors; Chemical compounds; Chemical reactions; Chemical speciation; dual-functionalised probes; Flow cytometry; Fluorescence; Fluorescent indicators; fluorescent probes; Fluorophores; imaging; Imaging techniques; Probes; Selectivity; System effectiveness; targeted sensors; Visualization; biosensors; targeted sensors; dual-functionalised probes; imaging; fluorescent probes
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202007673

A key current challenge in biological research is the elucidation of the that roles chemicals and chemical reactions play in cellular function and dysfunction. Of the available cellular imaging techniques, fluorescence imaging offers a balance between sensitivity and resolution, enabling the cost‐effective and rapid visualisation of model biological systems. Importantly, the use of responsive fluorescent probes in conjunction with ever‐advancing microscopy and flow cytometry techniques enables the visualisation, with high spatiotemporal resolution, of both specific chemical species and chemical reactions in living cells. Ideal responsive fluorescent probes are those that contain a fluorophore tethered to both a sensing unit, to ensure selectivity of response, and a targeting group, to control the sub‐cellular localisation of the probe. To date, probes that are both targeted and selective are relatively rare and most localised probes are discovered serendipitously rather than by design. A challenge in this field is therefore the identification of suitable fluorophore scaffolds that can be readily attached to both sensing and targeting groups. Here we review current strategies for dual‐functionalisation of fluorophores, highlighting key examples of targeted, responsive probes. The use of fluorescent probes for studying biological systems has been crucial to our understanding of health and disease, with targeted, selective sensors providing us with highly specific biological information. This Minireview gives an overview of the different methods used to functionalise commonly used fluorophores with both sensing and targeting groups. Key directions for future research in this field are also presented.