The first fluorescent probes that are actively channeled into the mitochondrial matrix by a specific mitochondrial membrane transporter in living cells have been developed. The new functional probes (BCT) have a minimalist structural design based on the highly efficient and photostable BODIPY chromophore and carnitine as a biotargeting element. Both units are orthogonally bonded through the common boron atom, thus avoiding the use of complex polyatomic connectors. In contrast to known mitochondria-specific dyes, BCTs selectively label these organelles regardless of their transmembrane potential and in an enantioselective way. The obtained experimental evidence supports carnitine–acylcarnitine translocase (CACT) as the key transporter protein for BCTs, which behave therefore as acylcarnitine biomimetics. This simple structural design can be readily extended to other structurally diverse starting F-BODIPYs to obtain BCTs with varied emission wavelengths along the visible and NIR spectral regions and with multifunctional capabilities. BCTs are the first fluorescent derivatives of carnitine to be used in cell microscopy and stand as promising research tools to explore the role of the carnitine shuttle system in cancer and metabolic diseases. Extension of this approach to other small-molecule mitochondrial transporters is envisaged.A BODIPY derivative of carnitine enters mitochondria regardless of their membrane potential and in an enantioselective way through a specific mitochondrial membrane transporter in living cells.相似文献
The syntheses of novel amphiphilic 5,5′,6,6′-tetrachlorobenzimidacarbocyanine (TBC) dye derivatives with aminopropanediol head groups, which only differ in stereochemistry (chiral enantiomers, meso form and conformer), are reported. For the achiral meso form, a new synthetic route towards asymmetric cyanine dyes was established. All compounds form J aggregates in water, the optical properties of which were characterised by means of spectroscopic methods. The supramolecular structure of the aggregates is investigated by means of cryo-transmission electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography and AFM, revealing extended sheet-like aggregates for chiral enantiomers and nanotubes for the mesomer, respectively, whereas the conformer forms predominately needle-like crystals. The experiments demonstrate that the aggregation behaviour of compounds can be controlled solely by head group stereochemistry, which in the case of enantiomers enables the formation of extended hydrogen-bond chains by the hydroxyl functionalities. In case of the achiral meso form, however, such chains turned out to be sterically excluded. 相似文献
This work presents a synergy between organic electronics and supramolecular chemistry, in which a host–guest complex is designed to function as an efficacious electronic material. Specifically, the noncovalent recognition of a fullerene, phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester ( PC61BM ), by an alternating perylene diimide ( P )-bithiophene ( B ) conjugated macrocycle ( PBPB ) results in a greater than five-fold enhancement in electron mobility, relative to the macrocycle alone. Characterization and quantification of the binding of fullerenes by host PBPB is provided alongside evidence for intermolecular electronic communication within the host–guest complexes. 相似文献
This study of a state‐funded, 3‐year implementation of an integrated STEM professional development (PD) program for teachers from two middle schools in the midwestern U.S. examined if participants in the PD were enabled to transform their practice and perceptions of STEM. An integrated STEM approach includes a focus on the STEM disciplines, along with leveraging social studies/history and English/language arts as important context and tools for solving society’s biggest challenges. Findings in this study indicated that teachers implemented more effective STEM teaching strategies and had more positive perceptions regarding STEM overall. Further, participants became more aware of their personal needs for resources and support to teach through integrated STEM. Implications for research and practice are discussed. 相似文献
Specific ion effects on the kinetics of iodination of acetone in an acidic medium are investigated by UV/Vis spectrophotometry as a function of nature of the acid and temperature. The results indicate that the order of the reaction with respect to acetone is practically unaffected by the composition of the acid while the value of the mixed constant k1K increases according to the sequence HBr<HCl<HClO4<HF<H2SO4<H3PO4. The results are discussed in terms of the hydration free energy and size of the anion and of the interaction between the cationic intermediate and the anion. 相似文献
Abstract— The endogenous levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GA) were examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in Prunus cerasus plantlets grown under different light conditions in relation to previous work on the photocontrol of stem elongation. The endogenous levels of free and conjugated IAA in the apical sections of red-grown shoots were about two-fold higher than those in the blue-treated plants, and these corresponded with maximum shoot elongation. By contrast, greater concentrations of ABA and GA were found in blue-grown plants compared to red with intermediate shoot growth. When blue was combined with red or far red, lower levels of IAA, ABA and GA correlated with less growth. These results suggest that the regulation of stem elongation by phytochrome and a blue-absorbing pigment may, at least in part, occur through a modulation of hormone levels. 相似文献
The realization of an ultra‐fast source of heralded single photons emitted at the wavelength of 1540 nm is reported. The presented strategy is based on state‐of‐the‐art telecom technology, combined with off‐the‐shelf fiber components and waveguide non‐linear stages pumped by a 10 GHz repetition rate laser. The single photons are heralded at a rate as high as 2.1 MHz with a heralding efficiency of 42%. Single‐photon character of the source is inferred by measuring the second‐order autocorrelation function. For the highest heralding rate, a value as low as 0.023 is found. This not only proves negligible multi‐photon contributions but also represents one of the best measured values reported to date for heralding rates in the MHz regime. These performances, associated with a device‐like configuration, are key ingredients for both fast and secure quantum communication protocols.
Poly(ether urethane)s containing different hard segments were investigated by viscometry, fluorescence spectra, polarizing optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The polarity dependence of the vibrational structure of the pyrene emission spectrum indicated the formation of aggregates at concentrations that are significantly below the critical concentrations that define the separation of dilute‐semidilute domains. Unlike the sample with 4,4'‐methylene diphenylene diisocyanate, the sample with 2,4‐tolylene diisocyanate in hard segments gives a fluorescence spectra in which the pyrene excimer appears. Supermolecular structures associated with the form of spherulites or of spherical micelles were detected by scanning electron microscopy. The results are discussed in correlation with viscometric data and optical microscopy. 相似文献
