Recent advances in fluorescence imaging of alkaline phosphatase

Phosphatase plays a vital important role in many biological functions due to the dephosphorylation serves varied roles in cellular regulation and signaling. Among the family of phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) could act as crucial prognostic indicators for many diseases such as bone diseases and cancer. However, the detection of ALP is mainly limited to in vitro colorimetric method in clinic. Therefore, huge efforts have been paid on the fluorescence imaging that provides a reliable method to detect the real-time and in vivo changes of the level of ALP. In this review, we summarize recent advances in fluorescence imaging of phosphatase, mainly focused on ALP. The imaging probes of phosphatase are mainly classified according to their luminescence mechanisms. In the end, we assessed the challenges and future prospects of phosphatase probes. ? 2020 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Phosphatase is crucial in many biological functions, with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) serving as a key prognostic indicator for various diseases, though current detection methods are limited to in vitro colorimetric techniques. Fluorescence imaging provides a reliable way to monitor real-time changes in ALP levels, with research focusing mainly on ALP imaging probes grouped by their luminescence mechanisms. Challenges and future prospects for phosphatase probes were also discussed.