A selective luminescent probe to monitor cellular ATP: Potential application for in vivo imaging in zebrafish embryo

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is the major energy currency of living cells and its efficient real-time monitoring in vivo has increased the demand for the development of fluorescent chemosensors. For the prompt detection of ATP in submolar range, we have developed an easily accessible colorimetric and fluorescence probe 4-(Di-p-tolylphosphoryl)-7-hydroxychroman-2-one (DPC). The selective nature of DPC towards ATP has been confirmed through UV-vis, fluorescence titration, NMR titration as well as computational studies. Coupled with high mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels, the chemosensor DPC shows intense blue fluorescence signal at intracellular compartments in murine splenocytes and A549 human lung cancer cells. Moreover, using live zebrafish (Danio rerio)embryos with high energetic demands, we have successfully achieved fluorescence imaging of ATP at distinct sites in vivo(neural tube, myotome or embryonic muscle tissue, somite boundaries and tail regions) followed by estimation of endogenous ATP level from embryo extract. Collectively, our designed probe demonstrates excellent cellular permeability, sensitivity and specificity for intracellular ATP, and may provide valuable insights in the research of ATP-regulated biological processes in living cells or organisms.

Automated summary

In this study, we have developed an easily accessible probe named DPC, which shows excellent selectivity towards ATP. Through fluorescence imaging, we have successfully detected high concentrations of ATP in intracellular compartments. Furthermore, we have achieved ATP fluorescence imaging at distinct sites in live zebrafish embryos and estimated the endogenous ATP level.