A novel aggregation induced emission (AIE) fluorescence probe by combining tetraphenylethylene and 2′,3′-O-isopropylideneadenosine for localizing Golgi apparatus

Golgi apparatus plays an important role in the final processing and packaging of cell secretions. Herein, we first present a new strategy using 2',3'-O-isopropylideneadenosine (Ade) acting as active site of many molecules in the Golgi and tetraphenylethylene (TPE) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics to design and synthesize a fluorescence probe termed as TPE-Ade. The fluorescence intensity of TPE-Ade in aqueous solution is enhanced by 160 times and thus AIE effect has been obviously confirmed. Furthermore, the theoretical calculation results demonstrate that aggregation enhanced fluorescence of TPE-Ade could be attributed to the suppression of non-radiative decay channel due to the intramolecular rotation hinder. Subsequently, TPE-Ade performs excellent in co-localization imaging experiment in targeting Golgi apparatus, with the Pearson's co localization coefficient of 0.86. Moreover, TPE-Ade shows better photostability in contrast to Golgi-Tracker Red. This work may develop into a fluorescence imaging tool based on a new Golgi apparatus localization group.

Automated summary

A new strategy using TPE-Ade fluorescence probe for imaging Golgi apparatus was presented, which displayed enhanced fluorescence intensity with AIE characteristics, excellent co-localization imaging performance, and better photostability compared to conventional probes. This work may lead to the development of a fluorescence imaging tool based on a new Golgi apparatus localization group.