An endoplasmic reticulum targeting green fluorescent protein chromophore-based probe for the detection of viscosity
Xiaoqin Wei, Yiming Zhu, Yu Xiang, Lei Cai, Nanan Ruan, Luling Wu, Nengqin Jia, Tony D. James, Chusen Huang
Abstract
The occurrence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is the main cause of a variety of biological processes that are closely related to numerous diseases. The homeostasis of the ER microenvironment can be disrupted under ER stress. In this research, by linking a pentafluorophenyl to the green fluorescent protein chromophore, we have developed a new ER-targeting fluorescent probe (GE-Y) for measuring changes of intracellular ER viscosity caused by ER stress. Importantly, an increase in ER viscosity was observed using GE-Y in cells undergoing autophagy. As such, our research provides an ideal tool for studying ER stress and autophagy.
Topics & Concepts
Endoplasmic reticulumFluorescenceChromophoreGreen fluorescent proteinChemistryFluorescent proteinViscosityBiophysicsBiochemistryPhotochemistryMaterials scienceBiologyPhysicsOpticsGeneComposite materialLipid Membrane Structure and BehaviorEndoplasmic Reticulum Stress and DiseaseAutophagy in Disease and Therapy