A "turn-on" fluorescent sensor for methylglyoxal

J Am Chem Soc. 2013 Aug 21;135(33):12429-33. doi: 10.1021/ja406077j. Epub 2013 Aug 9.

Abstract

Methylglyoxal (MGO), a dicarbonyl metabolite produced by all living cells, has been associated with a number of human diseases. However, studies of the role(s) MGO plays biologically have been handicapped by a lack of direct methods for its monitoring and detection. To address this limitation, we have developed a fluorescent sensor (methyl diaminobenzene-BODIPY, or "MBo") that can detect MGO under physiological conditions. We show that MBo is selective for MGO over other biologically relevant dicarbonyls and is suitable for detecting MGO in complex environments, including that of living cells. In addition, we demonstrate MBo's utility in estimating plasma concentrations of MGO. The results reported herein have the potential to advance both clinical and basic science research and practice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Boron Compounds / chemistry
  • Cell Survival
  • Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / instrumentation*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Molecular Imaging
  • Pyruvaldehyde / analysis*
  • Pyruvaldehyde / chemistry
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene
  • Boron Compounds
  • Pyruvaldehyde