A pyrene-based two-photon excitable fluorescent probe to visualize nuclei in live cells

• DOI: 10.1039/d0pp00107d
• Publication Date: 2020-06-19T12:03:36Z
• Authors: Chathura S. Abeyw...; Kaveesha J. Wijes...; Caroline B. Plescia; Lloyd S. Fisher; Theodore Goodson; Robert V. Stahelin; Yi Pang
• Keywords: Cell Nucleus; Photons; Pyrenes; Molecular Structure; Cell Survival; Pyridinium Compounds; DNA; 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences; Microscopy, Fluorescence; COS Cells; Chlorocebus aethiops; Animals; Cattle; Cells, Cultured; Fluorescent Dyes

The two-photon absorption properties of a pyrene-pyridinium dye (1) were studied for potential application in two-photon spectroscopy. When probe 1 was used in cellular two-photon fluorescence microscopy imaging, it allowed the visualization of nuclei in live cells with a relatively low probe concentration (such as 1 μM). Spectroscopic evidence further revealed that probe 1 interacted with DNA as an intercalator. The proposed DNA intercalation properties of probe 1 were consistent with the experimental findings that suggested that the observed nucleus staining ability is dependent on the substituents on the pyridinium fragment of the probe.