Fast release of lipophilic agents from circulating PEG-PDLLA micelles revealed by in vivo forster resonance energy transfer imaging

Understanding the in vivo behavior of nanoparticles is critical for the translation of nanomedicine from laboratory research to clinical trials. In this work, in vivo Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging was employed to monitor the release of hydrophobic molecules from circulating poly(ethylene glycol)-poly( D, L-lactic acid) (PEG-PDLLA) micelles. A lipophilic FRET pair (DiIC(18) and DiOC(18)) was physically entrapped into micelle cores by mimicking the loading of hydrophobic drugs. The FRET efficiency was found significantly reduced within 15 min after intravenous injection, implying that DiIC(18) and DiOC(18) quickly escaped from the circulating micelles. FRET spectroscopy studies further demonstrated that alpha- and beta-globulins were major factors for the observed fast release, while gamma-globulins, albumin, and red blood cells played minor roles. These results provide useful information for developing blood-stable micelles to deliver hydrophobic drugs to the target site via prolonged circulation and extravasation from the vascular system.     

Analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential in the cells by microchip flow cytometry

The mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) is an important indicator of the energetic state of both the mitochondria and the cells. To develop a sensitive, convenient, and rapid method for the measurement of DeltaPsi(m), we carried out cell fluorescence assays using the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer system which, unlike the conventional flow cytometry, is based on microfluidic technology employing fluorescence detection with a 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC(6)(3)) fluorescent probe. The use of DiOC(6)(3) in the fluorometer was shown to be feasible for monitoring variations in DeltaPsi(m) in the mitochondria isolated from rat liver and treated with rotenone, succinate, ADP, and carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP). Flow cytometry analysis showed severe reduction of fluorescence intensity in Jurkat cells after treatment with 1.0 and 10 microM FCCP. However, fluorescence microscopy demonstrated obvious accumulation of fluorescence in the mitochondria and induction of diffuse cytoplasmic fluorescence not localized to the mitochondria in these cells. The dose response range of DiOC(6)(3) in the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer system for yielding sufficient fluorescence intensity in the mitochondria of the cells was 20 nm-2.0 microM. Furthermore, significant reduction of fluorescence intensity in the cells stained with 2.0 microM DiOC(6)(3) was observed after treatment with 10 microM FCCP for 30 min. These results indicate that the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer is potentially useful for monitoring DeltaPsi(m) in cell assays.     

辅酶NADH与色氨酸共振能量转移的荧光动力学研究

采用时间相关单光子计数技术, 结合紫外-可见吸收光谱和稳态荧光光谱, 对不同环境下的色氨酸和辅酶还原型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸(NADH)之间的共振能量转移荧光动力学进行了研究. 单体色氨酸、 牛血清白蛋白以及乳酸脱氢酶蛋白与NADH之间相互作用的光谱数据表明, 只有存在NADH结合位点的乳酸脱氢酶和NADH之间发生了荧光共振能量转移. 进一步通过加入丙酮酸来阻断乳酸脱氢酶和NADH之间的荧光共振能量转移通道, 时间分辨荧光光谱和衰减相关光谱(DAS)证实, 蛋白结合位点的存在是NADH和色氨酸之间发生荧光共振能量转移的前提条件. DAS揭示了乳酸脱氢酶平均荧光寿命的减小主要是源于色氨酸中7.35 ns的荧光寿命成分与NADH之间的荧光共振能量转移, 同时给出了NADH和色氨酸之间的能量转移效率, 为研究NADH和蛋白之间的相互作用提供了新思路.     

A FRET-based indicator for imaging mitochondrial zinc ions

A strategy based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to transform a red-emitting fluorophore into a ratiometric indicator for mitochondrial Zn(II) is demonstrated.     

Multilayer Microcapsules for FRET Analysis and Two‐Photon‐Activated Photodynamic Therapy

Microcapsules obtained by layer‐by‐layer assembly provide a good platform for biological analysis owing to their component diversity, multiple binding sites, and controllable wall thickness. Herein, different assembly species were obtained from two‐photon dyes and traditional photosensitizers, and further assembled into microcapsules. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was shown to occur between the two‐photon dyes and photosensitizers. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with one‐ and two‐photon lasers, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), and time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy were used to analyze the FRET effects in the microcapsules. The FRET efficiency could easily be controlled through changing the assembly sequence. Furthermore, the capsules are phototoxic upon one‐ or two‐photon excitation. These materials are thus expected to be applicable in two‐photon‐activated photodynamic therapy for deep‐tissue treatment.     

Fluorescein provides a resonance gate for FRET from conjugated polymers to DNA intercalated dyes

Fluorescence spectra show that excitation of the cationic water-soluble conjugated polymer poly[(1,4-phenylene)-2,7-[9,9-bis(6'-N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-hexyl]fluorene diiodide] (1) results in inefficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to ethidium bromide (EB) intercalated within double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). When fluorescein (Fl) is attached to one terminus of the dsDNA, there is efficient FRET from 1 through Fl to EB. The cascading energy-transfer process was examined mechanistically via fluorescence decay kinetics and fluorescence anisotropy measurements. These experiments show that the proximity and conformational freedom of Fl provide a FRET gate to dyes intercalated within DNA which are optically amplified by the properties of the conjugated polymer. The overall process provides a substantial improvement over previous homogeneous conjugated polymer based DNA sensors, namely, in the form of improved selectivity.     

Detection of TNT based on conjugated polymer encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanoparticles through FRET

Amine-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing poly(p-phenylenevinylene) provide a facile strategy to detect TNT through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The observed linear fluorescence intensity change allows the quantitative detection of TNT with the detection limit of 6 × 10(-7) M.     

CdTe量子点-罗丹明6G荧光共振能量转移体系的构建及其应用研究

采用巯基化合物修饰的CdTe量子点构建了量子点(供体)-罗丹明6G(受体)荧光共振能量转移体系, 研究了CdTe量子点与牛血清白蛋白(BSA)的相互作用. 结果表明, CdTe量子点与BSA相互作用后提高了CdTe量子点-罗丹明6G 体系的荧光共振能量转移(FRET)效率, 减小了CdTe量子点和罗丹明6G分子间的距离(r), 证实BSA是通过其色氨酸(Trp)残基与CdTe量子点表面金属发生配位作用而直接结合到量子点表面的.     

Detection of mitochondrial caspase activity in real time in situ in live cells.

Apoptosis plays an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. The initiation and execution of the cell death program requires activation of multiple caspases in a stringently temporal order. Here we describe a method that allows real-time observation of caspase activation in situ in live cells based on fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurement using the prism and reflector imaging spectroscopy system (PARISS). When a fusion protein consisting of CFP connected to YFP via an intervening caspase substrate that has been targeted to a specific subcellular location is excited with a light source whose wavelength matches the cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) excitation peak, the energy absorbed by the CFP fluorophore is not emitted as fluorescence. Instead, the excitation energy is absorbed by the nearby yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fluorophore that is covalently linked to CFP through a short peptide containing the caspase substrate. Cleavage of the linker peptide by caspases results in loss of FRET due to the separation of CFP and YFP fluorophores. Using a mitochondrially targeted CFP-caspase 3 substrate-YFP construct (mC3Y), we demonstrate for the first time that there is caspase-3-like activity in the mitochondrial matrix of some cells at very late stage of apoptosis.     

Monitoring protein interactions in the living cell through the fluorescence decays of the cyan fluorescent protein.

Using fluorescence lifetime microspectroscopy and imaging techniques, we have studied the fluorescence of cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) transiently expressed in HEK-293 cells, in the presence or absence of its fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) partner, yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). When the two proteins are attached through a 27-amino-acid linker, a 33 % average efficiency of intramolecular energy transfer is accurately determined inside the cell. Additionally, we observe a systematic quenching of the CFP fluorescence with increasing levels of protein expression. This quenching cannot be accounted for by formation of the previously described dimer of GFP-related proteins, since its magnitude is unchanged when the fluorescent proteins carry the mutation A206K shown to dissociate this dimer in vitro. Even when the intracellular protein concentration largely exceeds the in vitro dissociation constant of the dimer, self-association remains undetectable, either between free proteins or intramolecularly within the CFP-YFP construct. Instead, the detailed concentration effects are satisfactorily accounted for by a model of intermolecular, concentration-dependent energy transfer, arising from molecular proximity and crowding. In the case of CFP alone, we suggest that self-quenching could result from a pseudo-homo FRET mechanism between different, spectrally shifted emissive forms of the protein. These phenomena require careful consideration in intracellular FRET studies.     

Distance distributions of short polypeptides recovered by fluorescence resonance energy transfer in the 10 A domain

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between tryptophan (Trp) as donor and 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (Dbo) as acceptor was studied by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The unique feature of this FRET pair is its exceptionally short F?rster radius (10 A), which allows one to recover distance distributions in very short structureless peptides. The technique was applied to Trp-(GlySer)n-Dbo-NH2 peptides with n = 0-10, for which the average probe/quencher distance ranged between 8.7 and 13.7 A experimentally (in propylene glycol, analysis according to wormlike chain model) and 8.6-10.2 A theoretically (for n = 0-6, GROMOS96 molecular dynamics simulations). The larger FRET efficiency in steady-state compared to time-resolved fluorescence experiments was attributed to a static quenching component, suggesting that a small but significant part (ca. 10%) of the conformations are already in van der Waals contact when excitation occurs.     

Study on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer between CdTe QDs and butyl-rhodamine B in the presence of CTMAB and its application on the detection of Hg(II)

The thioglycolic acid-functionalized CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized in aqueous solution using safe and low-cost inorganic salts as precursors. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system was constructed between CdTe QDs (donor) and butyl-rhodamine B (BRB) (acceptor) in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB). CTMAB micelles formed in water reduced the distance between the donor and the acceptor significantly and thus improved the FRET efficiency, which resulted in an obvious fluorescence enhancement of the acceptor. Several factors which impacted the fluorescence spectra of the FRET system were studied. The energy transfer efficiency (E) and the distance (r) between CdTe and BRB were obtained. The feasibility of the prepared FRET system as fluorescence probe for detecting Hg(II) in aqueous solution was demonstrated. At pH 6.60, a linear relationship could be established between the quenched fluorescence intensity of BRB and the concentration of Hg(II) in the range of 0.0625-2.5mumolL(-1). The limit of detection was 20.3nmolL(-1). The developed method was proved to be sensitive and repeatable to detect Hg(II) in a wide range in aqueous solutions.     

Carbon-dot-encapsulated molecularly imprinted mesoporous organosilica for fluorescent sensing of rhodamine 6G

A highly sensitive molecularly imprinted fluorescent sensor for rhodamine 6G (R6G) was fabricated using carbon dot (CD)-embedded mesoporous organosilica as scaffold through a one-pot self-assembly process. The embedded CDs and R6G exhibit efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) due to the overlap between the emission band of energy donor CDs and the excitation band of energy acceptor R6G, as well as their nanometer-sized distance. After acid treatment, molecularly imprinted silica for recognition of R6G with excellent performance in terms of sensitivity and selectivity was obtained, being attributed to the FRET effect between CDs and R6G and the spatial recognition ability for R6G.     

Two-step resonance energy transfer between dyes in layered silicate films

Single- and two-step fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was investigated between laser dyes rhodamine 123 (R123), rhodamine 610 (R610), and oxazine 4 (Ox4). The dye molecules played the role of molecular antennas and energy donors (ED, R123), energy acceptors (EA, Ox4), or both (R610). The dye cations were embedded in the films based on layered silicate laponite (Lap) with the thickness of several μm. Optically homogeneous films were prepared directly from dye/Lap colloids. Dye concentration in the films was high enough for FRET to occur but sufficiently low to prevent the formation of large amounts of molecular aggregates. The films were characterized by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, and their optical properties were compared with colloid precursors and dye aqueous solutions. The phenomenon of FRET was confirmed by means of steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopies. Significant quenching of ED emission in favor of the luminescence from EA molecules was observed. FRET led to the decrease in the lifetimes of excited states of ED molecules. Molecular orientation of dye molecules was determined by polarized absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. Almost parallel orientation with respect to silicate surface (～30°) was determined for all fluorescent species of the dyes. Theoretical model on relationship between anisotropy and molecular orientation of the fluorophores fits well with measured data. The analysis of anisotropy measurements confirmed the significant role of FRET in the phenomenon of light depolarization.     

绿色荧光蛋白为传能对的供体光漂白法测定FRET效率的探讨

探讨以两种新荧光蛋白MiCy,mKo为传能对并应用供体光漂白法测量荧光共振能量转移(FRET)效率.首先通过基因工程方法表达纯化了这两种蛋白,并测量了荧光光谱及光漂白性质,表明MiCy极易光漂白而mKo抗光漂白.进一步以Ni-NTA-agarose为FRET模型,在Confocal上对MiCy进行光漂白时间常数的测量,并计算了FRET效率.结果表明MiCy-mKo传能对适合用供体光漂白法测量FRET效率,此传能对将在蛋白质相互作用研究中有广泛应用.     

Plasmon‐Enhanced Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

In this review, we firstly introduce physical mechanism of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), the methods to measure FRET efficiency, and the applications of FRET. Secondly, we introduce the principle and applications of plasmon‐enhanced fluorescence (PEF). Thirdly, we focused on the principle and applications of plasmon‐enhanced FRET. This review can promote further understanding of FRET and PE‐FRET.     

CdTe量子点与罗丹明B间的荧光共振能量转移研究

以巯基乙酸为稳定剂, 在水溶液中合成了CdTe量子点. 以发射波长522 nm的量子点为给体, 罗丹明B为受体, 研究了在十六烷基三甲基溴化铵胶束介质中, 量子点与罗丹明B之间的荧光共振能量转移. 实验结果表明, 在pH＝5.00的缓冲溶液中, 当十六烷基三甲基溴化铵的浓度为1.37×10－4 mol/ L时, 量子点与罗丹明B之间的距离为2.65 nm, 1个量子点给体最多可与6个罗丹明B受体发生有效的共振能量转移, 能量转移效率为0.69.     

Fluorescence energy transfer-sensitized photobleaching of a fluorescent label as a tool to study donor-acceptor distance distributions and dynamics in protein assemblies: studies of a complex of biotinylated IgM with streptavidin and aggregates of concanavalin A

A photokinetic method of detection of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between special fluorescent labels is applied to study time-averaged spatial distribution of labeled proteins in protein assemblies. Prolonged irradiation of a sample at the absorption maximum of the energy donor initiates FRET-sensitized fluorescence photobleaching of the energy acceptor label, which was monitored by steady-state fluorimetric measurements. Kinetics of the acceptor photobleaching and kinetics of decreasing the efficiency of FRET from donors to unbleached acceptors were determined. The FRET efficiency was found from measuring sensitization of acceptor fluorescence. Analysis of the photokinetic data permits to estimate the time-averaged distribution of acceptors on donor-acceptor distances in the range of characteristic distances of FRET. Dynamic processes influencing donor-acceptor distances can be also investigated by the method. Application of the method is demonstrated by the studies of a complex of biotinylated IgM with streptavidin and aggregates composed of concanavalin A and sodium dodecyl sulphate. A new thiadicarbocyanine dye was used as the acceptor label. R-phycoerythrin and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate were the donor labels. In the IgM-streptavidin complex, 16% of acceptors most contributed to FRET provided 90% of FRET efficiency, whereas acceptors made about the same time-averaged contribution to FRET in the concanavalin A aggregates.     

Quantitative FRET analysis with the EGFP-mCherry fluorescent protein pair

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between fluorescent proteins (FPs) is a powerful tool to investigate protein–protein interaction and even protein modifications in living cells. Here, we analyze the E⁰GFP-mCherry pair and show that it can yield a reproducible quantitative determination of the energy transfer efficiency both in vivo and in vitro . The photophysics of the two proteins is reported and shows good spectral overlap (Förster radius R ₀ = 51 Å), low crosstalk between acceptor and donor channels, and independence of the emission spectra from pH and halide ion concentration. Acceptor photobleaching (APB) and one- and two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) are used to quantitatively determine FRET efficiency values. A FRET standard is introduced based on a tandem construct comprising donor and acceptor together with a 20 amino acid long cleavable peptidic linker. Reference values are obtained via enzymatic cleavage of the linker and are used as benchmarks for APB and FLIM data. E⁰GFP-mCherry shows ideal properties for FLIM detection of FRET and yields high accuracy both in vitro and in vivo . Furthermore, the recently introduced phasor approach to FLIM is shown to yield straightforward and accurate two-photon FRET efficiency data even in suboptimal experimental conditions. The consistence of these results with the reference method (both in vitro and in vivo ) reveals that this new pair can be used for very effective quantitative FRET imaging.     

Two-dimensional fluorescence resonance energy transfer as a probe for protein folding: a theoretical study

We describe a two-dimensional (2D), four-color fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) scheme, in which the conformational dynamics of a protein is followed by simultaneously observing the FRET signal from two different donor-acceptor pairs. For a general class of models that assume Markovian conformational dynamics, we relate the properties of the emission correlation functions to the rates of elementary kinetic steps in the model. We further use a toy folding model that treats proteins as chains with breakable cross-links to examine the relationship between the cooperativity of folding and FRET data and to establish what additional information about the folding dynamics can be gleaned from 2D, as opposed to one-dimensional FRET experiments. We finally discuss the potential advantages of the four-color FRET over the three-color FRET technique.