Just Published: Boron-Containing Molecules for Imaging of Mitochondria in Cells

Authors: Stefanie Griesbeck, Dr. Zuolun Zhang, Marcus Gutmann, Dr. Tessa Lühmann, Dr. Robert M. Edkins, Guillaume Clermont, Dr. Adina N. Lazar, Dr. Martin Haehnel, Dr. Katharina Edkins, Antonius Eichhorn, Dr. Mireille Blanchard-Desce, Prof. Dr. Lorenz Meinel, Prof. Dr. Todd B. Marder

Abstract: Three water-soluble tetracationic quadrupolar chromophores comprising two three-coordinate boron π-acceptor groups bridged by thiophene-containing moieties were synthesised for biological imaging applications. Compound 3 containing the bulkier 5-(3,5-Me₂C₆H₂)-2,2′-(C₄H₂S)2-5′-(3,5-Me₂C₆H₂) bridge is stable over a long period of time, exhibits a high fluorescence quantum yield and strong one- and two-photon absorption (TPA), and has a TPA cross section of 268 GM at 800 nm in water. Confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy studies in live cells indicated localisation of the chromophore at the mitochondria; moreover, cytotoxicity measurements proved biocompatibility. Thus, chromophore 3 has excellent potential for one- and two-photon-excited fluorescence imaging of mitochondrial function in cells.

Link: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/chem.201602639/abstract