title: Modular chemical probes for visualizing and tracking endogenous ion channels.
abstract: Fluorescently labeled, small molecule ligands designed for the labeling and tracking of neuronal receptors have become an increasingly popular tool in neurobiology. The small size of these probes allows for subcellular imaging of proteins in their native state with minimal perturbation of the system. Several factors such as the selectivity of the pharmacophore, the size and composition of linkers used, and the fluorescence stability of the fluorophore can all influence the effectiveness of the small molecule probe. Here we discuss a few key molecular targets of this technology including the NMDA receptor, serotonin transporter, dopamine transporter, and adenosine receptor due to their involvement in numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Future iterations of these probes will allow for a better understanding of many important neurological proteins as well as the development of new and potent therapeutic drugs. This review will cover probe design considerations and discuss examples of specific small molecule fluorescent ligands that have been used to study a multitude of neuronal receptors through fluorescent imaging. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Fluorescent Tools in Neuropharmacology'.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
authors: Stephen T
authors: ST
authors: McCarron
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA. Electronic address: chambers@chem.umass.edu.
authors: James J
authors: JJ
authors: Chambers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D015394:Molecular Structure; D021381:Protein Transport
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007473:Ion Channels; D008024:Ligands
keywords: Fluorescence; Fluorescent probes; Ligand-directed; Neuronal receptors