Vinyl-Fluorene Molecular Wires for Voltage Imaging with Enhanced Sensitivity and Reduced Phototoxicity.

ABSTRACT: Fluorescent voltage indicators are an attractive alternative for studying the electrical activity of excitable cells; however, the development of indicators that are both highly sensitive and low in toxicity over long-term experiments remains a challenge. Previously, we reported a fluorene-based voltage-sensitive fluorophore that exhibits much lower phototoxicity than previous voltage indicators in cardiomyocyte monolayers, but suffers from low sensitivity to membrane potential changes. Here, we report that the addition of a single vinyl spacer in the fluorene molecular wire scaffold improves the voltage sensitivity 1.5- to 3.5-fold over fluorene-based voltage probes. Furthermore, we demonstrate the improved ability of the new vinyl-fluorene VoltageFluors to monitor action potential kineti

SUBMITTER: Boggess SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8363594 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature