A Golgi-Targeting and Dual-Color Turn-On Probe for Spatially Precise Imaging of Furin

Development of fluorescence probes for highly accurate detection of cancer-related enzyme activity is important in early cancer diagnosis. Herein, we report a Golgi-targeting and dual-color Turn-On probe Q-RVRR-DCM for imaging furin with high spatial precision. By integrating the principles of Forster resonance energy transfer and intramolecular charge transfer, the probe was designed to be non-fluorescent. Upon furin cleavage, Q-RVRR-DCM was converted into Q-RVRR and DCM-NH2, turning the dual fluorescence color On at 420 and 640 nm without spectral cross-talk. In furin-overexpressing HCT116 cells, QRVRR-DCM showed not only furin-specific, dual-color Turn-On fluorescence but also superior colocalization with a Golgi tracker than the single-color Turn-On probe RVRR-DCM. We envision that, with the excellent properties of Golgi-targeting and dual fluorescence color Turn-On, our furin probe Q-RVRR-DCM could be applied for accurate early diagnosis of cancer in the near future.

Automated summary

In this study, a Golgi-targeting and dual-color Turn-On probe Q-RVRR-DCM was developed for accurate detection of cancer-related enzyme activity. The probe exhibited high spatial precision and dual fluorescence color activation upon furin cleavage, with superior colocalization with a Golgi tracker. This furin probe has the potential to be applied in early cancer diagnosis due to its excellent properties.