Discovery of an F-actin-binding small molecule serving as a fluorescent probe and a scaffold for functional probes

Actin is a ubiquitous cytoskeletal protein, forming a dynamic network that generates mechanical forces in the cell. There is a growing demand for practical and accessible tools for dissecting the role of the actin cytoskeleton in cellular function, and the discovery of a new actin-binding small molecule is an important advance in the field, offering the opportunity to design and synthesize of new class of functional molecules. Here, we found an F-actin-binding small molecule and introduced two powerful tools based on a new class of actin-binding small molecule: One enables visualization of the actin cytoskeleton, including super-resolution imaging, and the other enables highly specific green light-controlled fragmentation of actin filaments, affording unprecedented control of the actin cytoskeleton and its force network in living cells.

Automated summary

The discovery of a new actin-binding small molecule presents an important advance in the field, offering the opportunity to design and synthesize new functional molecules. This molecule enables visualization of the actin cytoskeleton and allows for highly specific control of actin filaments in living cells.