Mitochondria-targeting ratiometric fluorescent probe for γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and its application to colon cancer

Abstract

A mitochondria-targeting ratiometric probe was designed for γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γGT). Mechanistic study by HPLC and an inhibitor assay showed that the probe underwent γGT-mediated amide-to-amine transformation and induced a ratiometric fluorescence response in cellular mitochondria. Further application was successful for the detection of cancerous colons in mice.