Advances in fluorescent sensors for β-galactosidase

beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal), a lysosomal hydrolytic enzyme, plays a significant role in the catalytic hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds, which transforms lactose into galactose. The abnormality of beta-Gal in cells is associated with many diseases such as ganglioside deposition, primary ovarian cancer, and also the occurrence of cell senescence. In the past few years, great efforts have been made towards the detection of beta-Gal activity in vivo based on fluorescent sensors due to their high sensitivity, selectivity and spatiotemporal resolution imaging. This minireview summarizes the advances in the molecular design strategy and biological applications of fluorescent probes for beta-Gal, focusing on detection accuracy enhancement, especially with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) for background minimization and cell permeability promotion. The current challenges and further directions in tracing beta-Gal are also discussed.

Automated summary

Beta-galactosidase (β-Gal) is a lysosomal hydrolytic enzyme that plays a significant role in the catalytic hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds. Detection of β-Gal activity in vivo using fluorescent sensors has advanced due to their high sensitivity and selectivity. Strategies like aggregation-induced emission (AIE) have been employed to enhance detection accuracy and cellular permeability.