Activatable and Cell-Penetrable Multiplex FRET Nanosensor for Profiling MT1-MMP Activity in Single Cancer Cells

Nano Lett. 2015 Aug 12;15(8):5025-32. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b01047. Epub 2015 Jul 27.

Abstract

We developed a quantum-dot-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (QD-FRET) nanosensor to visualize the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) at cell membrane. A bended peptide with multiple motifs was engineered to position the FRET pair at a close proximity to allow energy transfer, which can be cleaved by active MT1-MMP to result in FRET changes and the exposure of cell penetrating sequence. Via FRET and penetrated QD signals, the nanosensor can profile cancer cells.

Keywords: FRET nanosensor; MT1-MMP; activatable cell-penetrating peptide; cancer; multiplex signals; single cell.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / methods*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 / analysis
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Quantum Dots / chemistry
  • Quantum Dots / metabolism
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Peptides
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 14