BODIPY probes to study peroxisome dynamics in vivo.
There is a continuing need for bioprobes that are target-specific and combine speed of delivery with maintenance of normal cell behaviour. Towards this end, we are developing small pro-fluorescent molecules that provide such specificity through chemical activation by biomolecules. We have generated a set of BODIPY (boron dipyrromethane) fluorophores, including one that is intrinsically non-fluorescent but on incubation with cells becomes fluorescent at its target site. Addition of these BODIPY probes to plant cells identifies peroxisomes, as verified by co-localization with an SKL-FP construct. Interestingly, in mammalian cells, co-localization with the mammalian peroxisomal marker SelectFX(TM) was not observed. These data suggest fundamental differences in peroxisome composition, development or function between plant and animal cells.
Landrum
Marie
M
Centre for Bioactive Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
Smertenko
Andrei
A
Edwards
Robert
R
Hussey
Patrick J
PJ
Steel
Patrick G
PG
D000818:Animals; D001896:Boron Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D015394:Molecular Structure; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D020675:Peroxisomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D011523:Protoplasts / Q000378:metabolism; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
C095489:4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene; D001896:Boron Compounds; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes