A general strategy for developing cell-permeable photo-modulatable organic fluorescent probes for live-cell super-resolution imaging

Abstract

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) achieves super-resolution imaging beyond the diffraction limit but critically relies on the use of photo-modulatable fluorescent probes. Here we report a general strategy for constructing cell-permeable photo-modulatable organic fluorescent probes for live-cell SMLM by exploiting the remarkable cytosolic delivery ability of a cell-penetrating peptide (rR) ₃R ₂. We develop photo-modulatable organic fluorescent probes consisting of a (rR) ₃R ₂ peptide coupled to a cell-impermeable organic fluorophore and a recognition unit. Our results indicate that these organic probes are not only cell permeable but can also specifically and directly label endogenous targeted proteins. Using the probes, we obtain super-resolution images of lysosomes and endogenous F-actin under physiological conditions. We resolve the dynamics of F-actin with 10 s temporal resolution in live cells and discern fine F-actin structures with diameters of ~80 nm. These results open up new avenues in the design of fluorescent probes for live-cell super-resolution imaging.

Abstract

Single-molecule localization microscopy depends on the use of photo-modulatable fluorescent probes; however, many cannot be used in live-cell studies due to poor cell permeability. Pan et al. present a strategy for constructing cell-permeable probes and use it to image actin filament dynamics and lysosomes.