Highly selective staining and quantification of intracellular lipid droplets with a compact push-pull fluorophore based on benzothiadiazole

Org Biomol Chem. 2020 Jan 22;18(3):495-499. doi: 10.1039/c9ob02486g.

Abstract

A robust lipophilic dye, based on the structures of the benzothiadiazole heterocycle, was shown to be a potent fluorescent stain for the selective imaging of lipid droplets (LDs) within both live and fixed human cells. Its small molecular framework, large Stokes shift, and vastly improved photostability over that of the current status quo, Nile Red, highlight its tremendous potential as a versatile chemical tool for facilitating LD imaging and research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Lipid Droplets / chemistry
  • Lipid Droplets / metabolism*
  • Staining and Labeling / methods
  • Thiadiazoles / chemistry*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Thiadiazoles