title: Activatable fluorescent probes: a new concept in optical molecular imaging.
abstract: Activatable fluorescent probes share the unique feature of being turned on only under specific conditions: they are "silent" when not interacting with a specific target protein, microenvironment, or reactive species. Several activatable fluorescence probes have demonstrated their potential in cell biology study, disease study and diagnosis, and even in the rapidly expanding field of image-guided surgery. In this review, we will summarize progress in the design of activatable probes and their application in studying cell biology or in optical imaging. Some of the most effective examples of activatable fluorescent probes will be presented and their application will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Universita degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Dipartimento Farmaco-Chimico, Bari, Italy. lacivita@farmchim.uniba.it
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lacivita
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leopoldo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berardi
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Colabufo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perrone
mesh_terms: D004579:Electron Transport; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D061848:Optical Imaging; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species / Q000737:chemistry; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008670:Metals; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases