Open AccessTurning on Light Emission of a Dark Pro‐Aggregation‐Induced Emission Luminogen in Aqueous Media Through Reductase‐Modulated Derotation
Author(s) -
Xu Changhuo,
Zou Hang,
Zhao Zheng,
Zheng Zheng,
Kwok Ryan T. K.,
Lam Jacky W. Y.,
Sung Herman H. Y.,
Williams Ian D,
Chen Sijie,
Zheng Lei,
Tang Ben Zhong
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced nanobiomed research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2699-9307
DOI - 10.1002/anbr.202000080
Subject(s) - aggregation induced emission , intramolecular force , photochemistry , fluorescence , intracellular , chemistry , quenching (fluorescence) , aqueous medium , conjugated system , aqueous solution , photodynamic therapy , biophysics , stereochemistry , polymer , organic chemistry , biochemistry , optics , biology , physics
The development of dark pro‐aggregation‐induced‐emission luminogens (pro‐AIEgens) based on the solid‐state intramolecular motion–caused quenching effect has been rarely reported in biochemical analysis. Herein, an azo‐conjugated pro‐AIEgen derived from tetraphenylethene is constructed. Due to the active molecular motion of the azo bond, it retains a nonemissive property in both solution and solid forms. The obtained pro‐AIEgen can be internalized by living cells and undergo reductase‐modulated derotation under hypoxia to emit light. It shows increasing fluorescence when the intracellular oxygen concentration becomes lower, making it a potential probe to sense the hypoxic environment. The present probe can also visualize the hypoxic environment created by photodynamic therapy treatment.