DEVELOPMENT OF TWO-PHOTON SMALL-MOLECULE PROBES FOR SPECIFIC ENZYMES

Abstract

Enzymes are essential to sustain life and they also play critical roles in the development of disease and therapeutic processes. Two-photon small-molecule probes (TSMPs) producing specific fluorescent signals towards target biomolecules are demonstrated to be advantageous in tissue and in vivo imaging. However, currently available TSMPs only cover a small portion of enzymes in spite of the distinctive advantages of two-photon fluorescence microscopy (TPFM). With knowledge of existing substrates/inhibitors for most enzymes, we are inspired to design TSMPs either mimicking the substrate or containing an inhibitor-moiety for recognition. In addition to produce “Turn-On” two-photon signals, we are also trying to address issues including the selectivity, sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolutions. And our strategies are also promising to be applied to other enzymes.