Selectable labeling of mitochondrial proteins through visible light-catalyzed reactions in living cells

Biocompatibility chemical reactions can be carried out in the native biological environment, which is a powerful tool for studying protein functions

Recently, Chen Yiyun’s group at the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences collaborated with Zhang Yaoyang’s group (intersection center) to take advantage of the high temporal and spatial resolution of light, and for the first time to use organic small molecule dyes as biocompatible photocatalysts for subcellular localization.

Early research by Chen Yiyun’s group found that organic small molecule dyes have good visible light catalytic biocompatibility and can achieve the light release of small molecule drugs in living cells (Angew.

Through immunofluorescence microscopy imaging and protein profile analysis, the mitochondrial localization dye Rhodamine 123 can achieve selective protein labeling of mitochondria in living cells

Using this labeling method, the author conducted a proteomic study on the process of mitochondrial dysfunction caused by rotenone toxin.

Related research results were recently published on JACS Au [JACS Au 2021, 1(7), 1066-1075.