A Turn-On Fluorescent Amino Acid Sensor Reveals Chloroquine's Effect on Cellular Amino Acids via Inhibiting Cathepsin L.

ABSTRACT: Maintaining homeostasis of metabolites such as amino acids is critical for cell survival. Dysfunction of nutrient balance can result in human diseases such as diabetes. Much remains to be discovered about how cells transport, store, and utilize amino acids due to limited research tools. Here we developed a novel, pan-amino acid fluorescent turn-on sensor, NS560. It detects 18 of the 20 proteogenic amino acids and can be visualized in mammalian cells. Using NS560, we identified amino acids pools in lysosomes, late endosomes, and surrounding the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Interestingly, we observed amino acid accumulation in large cellular foci after treatment with chloroquine, but not with other autophagy inhibitors. Using a biotinylated photo-cross-linking chloroquine analog and chemical

SUBMITTER: Smith MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10214525 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature