Asymmetric Rhodamine-Based Fluorescent Probe for Multicolour In Vivo Imaging

To achieve rapid and sensitive detection of cancer, activatable fluorescent probes targeting proteases that are overexpressed in various types of cancer have been developed, based on the hydroxymethyl rhodamine green (HMRG) scaffold. However, to visualize altered activities of multiple enzymes in cancer sites, other scaffolds with distinct fluorescence properties from those of HMRG are needed. A novel asymmetrically modified rhodamine with suitable absorption/emission, brightness and equilibrium constant of intramolecular spirocyclization, working in the yellow/orange region, is introduced. As a proof of concept, a probe targeting gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gGlu-HMJCR) was developed on the basis of the new scaffold. Simultaneous visualization and discrimination of tumours expressing gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (with gGlu-HMJCR) and cathepsins (with Z-Phe-Arg-HMRG) by colour were achieved in a mouse model in vivo.