Xanthone-based solvatochromic fluorophores for quantifying micropolarity of protein aggregates.

ABSTRACT: Proper three-dimensional structures are essential for maintaining the functionality of proteins and for avoiding pathological consequences of improper folding. Misfolding and aggregation of proteins have been both associated with neurodegenerative disease. Therefore, a variety of fluorogenic tools that respond to both polarity and viscosity have been developed to detect protein aggregation. However, the rational design of highly sensitive fluorophores that respond solely to polarity has remained elusive. In this work, we demonstrate that electron-withdrawing heteroatoms with (d-p)-π* conjugation can stabilize lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels and promote bathochromic shifts. Guided by computational analyses, we have devised a novel series of xanthone-based solvatochr

SUBMITTER: Wang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9629104 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature