title: Fluorescent probes for bioimaging applications.
abstract: Fluorescent probes based on small organic molecules have become indispensable tools in modern biology because they provide dynamic information concerning the localization and quantity of the molecules of interest, without the need of genetic engineering of the sample. In this review, following a brief outline of the principle of fluorescence imaging, we recount some recent achievements in the field of small-molecular fluorescent probes. First, probes for metal cations, including those suitable for two-photon imaging, are introduced. Next, methodologies to visualize proteases are discussed, with special emphasis on activity-based probes for use in vivo. All these probes have been confirmed to be applicable to cellular or in vivo imaging.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Terai
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagano
mesh_terms: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008670:Metals; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases