Supramolecular latching system based on ultrastable synthetic binding pairs as versatile tools for protein imaging

Nat Commun. 2018 Apr 27;9(1):1712. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-04161-4.

Abstract

Here we report ultrastable synthetic binding pairs between cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and adamantyl- (AdA) or ferrocenyl-ammonium (FcA) as a supramolecular latching system for protein imaging, overcoming the limitations of protein-based binding pairs. Cyanine 3-conjugated CB[7] (Cy3-CB[7]) can visualize AdA- or FcA-labeled proteins to provide clear fluorescence images for accurate and precise analysis of proteins. Furthermore, controllability of the system is demonstrated by treating with a stronger competitor guest. At low temperature, this allows us to selectively detach Cy3-CB[7] from guest-labeled proteins on the cell surface, while leaving Cy3-CB[7] latched to the cytosolic proteins for spatially conditional visualization of target proteins. This work represents a non-protein-based bioimaging tool which has inherent advantages over the widely used protein-based techniques, thereby demonstrating the great potential of this synthetic system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds / chemistry
  • COS Cells
  • Caenorhabditis elegans
  • Carbocyanines / chemistry
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique / methods
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Intravital Microscopy / methods
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Protein Binding
  • Staining and Labeling / methods*

Substances

  • Bridged-Ring Compounds
  • Carbocyanines
  • Imidazoles
  • cucurbit(7)uril
  • cyanine dye 3