Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xin Zhang, Anna du Rietz, Jiwen Hu, Caroline Brommesson, Xiongyu Wu, Kajsa Uvdal, Zhangjun Hu
Summary: Monitoring lysosomal pH is crucial for understanding cellular dysfunction, but current lysosome-specific probes lack high signal fidelity. This study introduces a lysosomal fluorogenic nanoprobe for reliable pH measurement and real-time monitoring of pH fluctuations in cells.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Huanhuan Xing, Yazhen Zhu, Dangdang Xu, Ruili Wu, Xiaojing Xing, Lin Song Li
Summary: This study aimed to construct a novel DNA triplex molecular switch (DTMS-DT) with sensitive response to extracellular pH using a DNA tetrahedron as the anchoring unit and DNA triplex as the response unit. The results showed that DTMS-DT had desirable pH sensitivity, reversibility, anti-interference ability, and biocompatibility. Confocal laser scanning microscopy suggested that DTMS-DT could be stably anchored on the cell membrane and used to monitor the change in extracellular pH. Compared with reported probes, the designed DNA tetrahedron-mediated triplex molecular switch exhibited higher stability and reliability for extracellular pH monitoring.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Quang Tran, Kenji Osabe, Tetsuyuki Entani, Tetsuichi Wazawa, Mitsuru Hattori, Takeharu Nagai
Summary: The acidity of root apoplastic fluid is crucial for the growth of plant roots. This study developed a novel pH indicator and successfully quantified the pH of root apoplastic fluid, providing evidence for the acid growth theory.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pooria Lesani, Gurvinder Singh, Zufu Lu, Mohammad Mirkhalaf, Elizabeth J. New, Hala Zreiqat
Summary: We report the design and development of a two-photon ratiometric carbon dot-based nanoprobe for real-time monitoring of intracellular pH. The nanoprobe exhibits sensitivity across a wide pH range, remarkable thermal and photo stability, as well as two-photon near-infrared excitation capability.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Guohui Yang, Kaizhi Zhang, Xiaozhang Qu, Weiqing Xu, Shuping Xu
Summary: Glioma, a common intracranial malignant tumor, poses a major surgical challenge due to its unclear boundaries with normal brain tissue. A ratiometric pH-responsive surface-enhanced Raman scattering strategy has been developed to rapidly and accurately identify glioma boundaries, enabling optimal tumor removal during surgery.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chuanping Zhang, Chenxiao Tang, Yuxiao Mei, Limin Zhang, Anwei Zhu, Yang Tian
Summary: An electrochemical method was reported for selectively sensing and accurately quantifying monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) in the cortex and thalamus of a live mouse brain. Using this tool, it was found that MAO-A increased Ca2+ entry into neurons via the TPRM2 channel in the live mouse brain of an AD model.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dingwen Yu, Jinfeng Yang, Lijuan Wang, Mingjian Chen, Ronghua Yang, Jing Zheng
Summary: In this study, we propose an azoreductase and pH dual-responsive DNA probe to construct a nanosensor for microenvironment monitoring in vivo. The results demonstrate that this nanosensor has excellent performance in O-2 and pH imaging, and can distinguish disease areas from normal tissue areas, which is significant for early disease detection.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shufen Yao, Ling Xiang, Lingyun Wang, Hang Gong, Feng Chen, Changqun Cai
Summary: This article introduces the design of pH-responsive DNA hydrogels with ratiometric fluorescence for stable and sensitive detection of disease-related nucleic acids. The developed DNA hydrogels exhibited high accuracy, sensitivity, and long-term stability.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Kun Zhang, Guowei Ding, Fengqing Gai, Yafang Zhang, Xiaoni Wang, Zhiming Gou, Yujing Zuo
Summary: Autophagy is crucial for cellular health, and its dysfunction is associated with various conditions. The development of a polysiloxane-based probe that targets lysosomes and responds to pH changes offers a valuable tool for visualizing and studying autophagic processes. This innovative probe provides insights into the mechanisms of autophagy and potential therapeutic strategies for related diseases.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chunyan Sun, Ni Liu, Jianing Liu, Ting Lv, Chuanyu Yang, Changshun Su, Ningxin Zhang, Hongxia Li, Xu Yan
Summary: Given the potential hazards of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) to food safety, developing sensitive and reliable sensors for OPs is highly urgent. Herein, a new ratiometric fluorescence strategy based on MnO2-AuNCs@ZIF-8 composite is developed for monitoring chlorpyrifos, which exhibits high sensitivity and good anti-interference ability. The ratiometric fluorescence sensor is effectively applied for precisely monitoring the residue and degradation of chlorpyrifos in pakchoi, providing practical application in food safety monitoring.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Xiao-Lei Xue, Yang Wang, Shaojin Chen, Kun-Peng Wang, Shu-Yan Niu, Qian-Shou Zong, Yi Jiang, Zhi-Qiang Hu
Summary: Monitoring intracellular pH using ratiometric fluorescent probes is important for studying biological processes including diseases. This study presents a new hemicyanine-based ratio-metric fluorescent probe with a hydroxyl group, which exhibits dual emission and can selectively respond to micro-environmental pH conditions in a range of 6.0 to 8.0. The probe can enter and accumulate in mitochondria and monitor pH microenvironmental conditions through fluorescence imaging in HepG2 cells.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Miaobo Pan, Gabriela Moran Cruz, Chloe Grazon, Djamila Kechkeche, Ludivine Houel Renault, Gilles Clavier, Rachel Meallet-Renault
Summary: pH is a fundamental parameter for describing the quality of aqueous solutions. We have developed a ratiometric fluorescent platform that can monitor pH in both solutions and surfaces. By grafting pH-sensitive fluorescent nanoparticles onto a silanized glass surface, we were able to accurately measure pH and monitor the growth of Escherichia coli through optical measurements within the physiological pH range.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zhonglong Wang, Yan Zhang, Yurong Zhu, Yubin Fu, Xinru Zhang, Zheyu Shen, Shuai Gong, Zhiyuan Meng, Shifa Wang
Summary: A lysosome-targeted fluorescent probe Lyso-CMCP was developed for real-time monitoring pH changes in living cells. This probe showed sensitive and selective response to acidic pH and had favorable features including good photostability, reversibility, anti-interference ability, and low cytotoxicity. The lysosomal pH fluctuations were successfully monitored and quantified by ratiometric fluorescence imaging using this probe.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaoyu Wu, Kai Yang, Shan He, Feng Zhu, Shenghui Kang, Bohua Liu, Chongling Sun, Wei Pang, Yanyan Wang
Summary: A dual-functional platform integrating cell alignment with extracellular pH measurement is proposed, using gold nanorods micro pattern fabricated through wettability difference interface method. The platform provides topographical cues and biochemical detection for cell alignment and pH measurement, respectively. The results demonstrate the achievement of contact guidance and cell morphology changes through the gold nanorods micro pattern, and the ability to obtain pH values by monitoring SERS spectra during cell alignment.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xing Su, Nan Li, Kai Wang, Qian Li, Weiguang Shao, Lulu Liu, Binhong Yu, Yu-Mo Zhang, Tingting Lin, Bo Zou, Yifei Liu, Sean Xiao-An Zhang
Summary: In this article, optical monitoring and diamond anvil cell (DAC) techniques are used to study the mechanochemistry of tetraphenylethene and pyrene modified cyano spiropyrans. The physical process of pressure induced emission enhancement (PIEE) properties and multi-step cascade reactions are revealed. The cis/trans tautomerization of spiropyran under hydrostatic pressure is observed and the ultra-unstable intermediates of merocyanine form are monitored. This research opens up new possibilities for the dynamic study of cleavage of covalent bonds in mechanochemistry.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siyu Chen, Rujia Wang, Shuang Peng, Shiyi Xie, Chunyang Lei, Yan Huang, Zhou Nie
Summary: In this study, the CRISPR-Cas system was engineered as a versatile live-cell biosensing system for monitoring diverse intracellular biomolecules. By leveraging the trans-cleavage activity of CRISPR-Cas12a, this system enabled sensitive sensing of various biomolecules such as telomerase, ATP, and microRNA-21.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meixia Wang, Xiaoxiao Li, Fang He, Juan Li, Hong-Hui Wang, Zhou Nie
Summary: The advent of DNA nanotechnology has enabled the development of programmable nanorobots, offering great potential for interdisciplinary research in chemistry, biology, and medicine. These designer DNA nanorobots can perform various tasks such as biosensing, drug delivery, and molecular operations to promote desired cellular behavior.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shiyi Xie, Benfeng Xu, Rui Tang, Siyu Chen, Chunyang Lei, Zhou Nie
Summary: In this study, the CRISPR/Cas12a system was utilized as a direct sensing system for Mn2+ detection in living cells. It was found that Mn2+ can accelerate the cleavage kinetics of Cas12a, allowing for robust detection of Mn2+ in complex biological samples and in the cytoplasm of living cells. The system was also applied to study the cytotoxicity of Mn2+ in nerve cells.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xu Lu, Xianhua Wu, Shi Kuang, Chunyang Lei, Zhou Nie
Summary: This study established a G4 probe design strategy and developed ThT-NA, a red fluorescent benzothiazole derivative for detecting and imaging G4 structures in living cells and tissue samples. ThT-NA shows excellent photophysical properties and can reveal the distribution of RNA G4 in cells and differentiate the cell cycle by monitoring changes in RNA G4 folding.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Siyu Chen, Bo Gong, Cong Zhu, Chunyang Lei, Zhou Nie
Summary: Nucleic acid molecules possess attractive properties for biosensing and bioimaging due to their high designability and structural predictability. CRISPR-Cas systems, with high programmability and flexibility, recognize and cleave nucleic acid targets and have been engineered as multifunctional tools. Integration of nucleic acids with CRISPR-Cas systems has advanced biosensing and bioimaging methodologies, holding great promise in biochemical research and clinical diagnosis.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Nanpu Cao, Wanhao Cai, Lu Qian, Zhou Nie, Chengde Mao, Shuxun Cui
Summary: Titin, a giant protein, plays a vital role in muscle's superior mechanical performance. The unfolding and refolding of its tandem domains are crucial for its modular spring function. This study proposes the use of modular DNA with multiple hairpins (MH-DNA) as a fundamental block for designing advanced materials. The analysis using atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) shows that MH-DNA exhibits similar stability to polyproteins like titin, making it an ideal molecular spring with exceptional mechanical efficiency.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fang He, Meixia Wang, Jieyu Wang, Hong-Hui Wang, Zhou Nie
Summary: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in diseases. However, there is a lack of effective strategies to use extracellular miRNAs as input signals for therapy. We developed a programmable miRNA-responsive DNA receptor that can autonomously activate receptors based on miRNA levels. This receptor system was demonstrated in a mouse model of liver injury, showing potential for precise cell therapy in regenerative medicine.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shiyi Xie, Cong Zhu, Lijuan Yang, Huiyi Li, Haizhen Zhu, Zhou Nie, Chunyang Lei
Summary: This study presents a ratiometric electrochemical sensor that detects viral proteases with high sensitivity by integrating target proteolysis-activated in vitro transcription and a DNA-functionalized electrochemical interface. The sensor demonstrated robust and specific NS3/4A protease sensing with sub-femtomolar sensitivity, and showed potential for developing direct-acting antivirals and novel therapies for viral infections.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiao-Na Han, Caijun Zhong, Mingmin Ge, Shi Kuang, Zhou Nie
Summary: The NHCouI dual-emission chromophore is a G4-responsive probe with a red emission signal that specifically responds to parallel G4s and a green emission signal that acts as an internal reference signal. It can self-calibrate the signal and avoid viscosity disturbances during G4 imaging in living cells.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xuan Xie, Yuan Sun, Jialong Peng, Zhenhua Zhang, Meixia Wang, Zeyuan Wang, Chunyang Lei, Yan Huang, Zhou Nie
Summary: The study proposes a bottom-up modular assembly strategy for a multifunctional protein-nucleic chimeric probe (PNCP) for in situ mapping of cancer-specific proteases. The probe can be anchored in the tumor microenvironment and respond to target proteases, generating amplified signals for in situ detection of their activity. The feasibility of PNCP is demonstrated for the detection of MMP-2 activity in 3D tumor spheroids and in vivo mapping of MMP-2 activity in a metastatic solid tumor model.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peng Yin, Mingmin Ge, Shiyi Xie, Li Zhang, Shi Kuang, Zhou Nie
Summary: miRNA-induced light-up RNA sensors (miLS) provide a powerful tool for detecting and imaging sequence-specific miRNAs in different cells, opening up new avenues for studying the functions of RNA in living cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fengyu Tian, Shurui Zhou, Shiyi Xie, Zhenhua Zhang, Ling Peng, Ling Jiang, Zeyuan Wang, Zhou Nie, Yan Huang
Summary: This study presents a versatile approach for the visualization and imaging of cancer biomarkers in the tumor microenvironment (TME) using a multifunctional fusion protein and nucleic acid nanodevice. The nanodevice enables spatially controlled ratiometric imaging of cancer biomarkers with improved detection sensitivity and reliability through self-calibrating the signal intensity. The results demonstrate the potential of this nanodevice for monitoring and visualizing cancer biomarkers in the TME.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pengfei Chen, Rui Wang, Ke Wang, Jiao-Na Han, Shi Kuang, Zhou Nie, Yan Huang
Summary: Multicolor conditional labeling is a powerful tool for bioimaging analysis of complex biological processes and cellular features. In this study, we developed a stimuli-responsive Fluorescence-Activating and absorption-Shifting Tag (srFAST) chemogenetic platform for multicolor cell-selective labeling. By modifying the optical-tunable hydroxyl group, the physicochemical properties of the srFAST ligands can be tailored, and their chemical decaging process induces a conditionally activatable fluorescent labeling upon binding with the FAST. This platform enables on-demand labeling of cells of interest using photo-stimulation or unique cellular feature-dependent activation, and allows for the discrimination and orthogonal labeling of different cell types using multiple enzyme-activatable srFAST ligands.
