Near-infrared fluorescent probe for fast track of cyclooxygenase-2 in Golgi apparatus in cancer cells

• DOI: 10.1007/s11705-019-1796-1
• Publication Date: 2019-04-24T13:55:50Z
• Authors: Bhaskar Gurram; Miao Li; Jiangli Fan; Jingyun Wang; Xiaojun Peng
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences; 3. Good health

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been used as an excellent traceable biomarker, and exists maximally in Golgi apparatus (Cancer cells). Celecoxib (CCB) is a selective inhibitor for COX-2, and has been used as one of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Herein we report the conjugation of nile blue (NB) with CCB via a six-carbon linkage to form a fluorescence probe NB-C6-CCB for the detection of COX-2. NB-C6-CCB displays strong fluorescence with the emission peak centered at near-infrared wavelength (700 nm) in tumor cells or tumor tissues with high expression of COX-2. Importantly, NB-C6-CCB can discriminate cancer cells (MCF-7) fluorescence intensity from normal ones (COS-7) in the co-culture medium under confocal microscope. Subcellular localization of the NB-C6-CCB preferentially points to the Golgi apparatus and increases the fluorescent intensity. The competitive analysis (with CCB) and Native-PAGE analysis confirmed that NB-C6-CCB shows selective binding affinity towards COX-2 enzyme. Competitive analysis with CCB (flow cytometry assay) revealed the fluorescence intensity fluctuation due to pretreatment of CCB with different concentrations, indicating that the NB-C6-CCB is a precise or sensitive probe for the COX-2. Tumor tissue (depth: 500 µm), organs and mice imaging tests show excellent near-infrared visualization, specific localization and identification of tumors.