Dimethyl-pepep: a DNA probe in two-photon excitation cellular imaging

Biophys Chem. 2005 Apr 1;114(1):35-41. doi: 10.1016/j.bpc.2004.11.004. Epub 2004 Nov 21.

Abstract

Dimethyl-pepep (D-pepep), a newly developed and very efficient two-photon absorber, has been tested here for two-photon excitation (TPE) cellular imaging. The spectral characteristics of the dye following one-photon excitation (OPE) and TPE (excitation and emission spectra, fluorescence lifetime, molecular brightness, saturation intensity) are reported. In vitro interaction studies with biomolecules show that dimethyl-pepep has a large affinity for DNA. A comparison with a widely used DNA stainer, 4-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) bound to DNA shows that the D-pepep brightness is one order of magnitude higher than that of DAPI, making this dye suitable for microscopy and imaging applications. TPE images taken from double-stained yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells have revealed that D-pepep localizes mainly in the nucleus, similarly to DAPI, and in mitochondria, although to a minor extent. Preliminary tests have shown that the dye cellular toxicity is negligible.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA Probes*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Photons*
  • Pyridinium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Pyrroles / chemistry*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • 1-methyl-2,5-bis(2-(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)ethenyl)pyrrole
  • DNA Probes
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Indoles
  • Pyridinium Compounds
  • Pyrroles
  • DAPI
  • DNA