Photoactivation of silicon rhodamines via a light-induced protonation

Nat Commun. 2019 Oct 8;10(1):4580. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-12480-3.

Abstract

Photoactivatable fluorophores are important for single-particle tracking and super-resolution microscopy. Here we present a photoactivatable fluorophore that forms a bright silicon rhodamine derivative through a light-dependent protonation. In contrast to other photoactivatable fluorophores, no caging groups are required, nor are there any undesired side-products released. Using this photoactivatable fluorophore, we create probes for HaloTag and actin for live-cell single-molecule localization microscopy and single-particle tracking experiments. The unusual mechanism of photoactivation and the fluorophore's outstanding spectroscopic properties make it a powerful tool for live-cell super-resolution microscopy.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / radiation effects*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Intravital Microscopy / methods*
  • Light
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods
  • Photochemical Processes / radiation effects
  • Protons
  • Rhodamines / chemistry
  • Rhodamines / radiation effects*
  • Silicon / chemistry
  • Silicon / radiation effects*
  • Single Molecule Imaging / methods*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Protons
  • Rhodamines
  • Silicon