1. Academic Validation
  2. Electron transfer-triggered imaging of EGFR signaling activity

Electron transfer-triggered imaging of EGFR signaling activity

  • Nat Commun. 2022 Feb 1;13(1):594. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-28213-y.
Jie Tan 1 Hao Li 2 Cailing Ji 1 Lei Zhang 1 Chenxuan Zhao 3 Liming Tang 1 Caixin Zhang 1 Zhijun Sun 4 Weihong Tan 5 Quan Yuan 6 7
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Physics and Electronics, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China.
  • 2 The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Bio-medicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
  • 3 Department of Chemistry, ZJU-NHU United R&D Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China.
  • 4 The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Bio-medicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China. sunzj@whu.edu.cn.
  • 5 Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Physics and Electronics, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China. tan@hnu.edu.cn.
  • 6 Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Physics and Electronics, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China. yuanquan@whu.edu.cn.
  • 7 The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Bio-medicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China. yuanquan@whu.edu.cn.
Abstract

In vivo electron transfer processes are closely related to the activation of signaling pathways, and, thus, affect various life processes. Indeed, the signaling pathway activation of key molecules may be associated with certain diseases. For example, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is related to the occurrence and development of tumors. Hence, monitoring the activation of EGFR-related signaling pathways can help reveal the progression of tumor development. However, it is challenging for current detection methods to monitor the activation of specific signaling pathways in complex biochemical reactions. Here we designed a highly sensitive and specific nanoprobe that enables in vivo imaging of electronic transfer over a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. By using the ferrocene-DNA polymer "wire", the electrons transferred in a biochemical reaction can flow to persistent luminescent nanoparticles and change their electron distribution, thereby altering the optical signal of the particles. This electron transfer-triggered imaging probe enables mapping the activation of EGFR-related signaling pathways in a temporally and spatially precise manner. By offering precise visualization of signaling activity, this approach may offer a general platform not only for understanding molecular mechanisms in various biological processes but also for promoting disease therapies and drug evaluation.

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