Development of Cell-Permeable, Water-Soluble, Peptide-Based Fluorescent Sensors for Detection of Analytes in a Biological System

Abstract

Non-genetically encoded analytes like metal ions, anions, reactive oxidative species, protons, sugar, lipids, and others are extremely crucial for proper functioning of the biological system. However, the distribution and localization of these analytes change both spatially and temporally and these spatio-temporal dynamics are important for key life-processes. Disruptions in the same can lead to severe pathophysiological conditions. Moreover, the distribution and localizations of one analyte is often functionally or structurally related to the dynamics of other analytes present in the biological milieu. In order to understand the inter-relationships between various analytes, we need to visualize these analytes simultaneously within different intracellular compartments. The primary objective of this thesis was to design and develop peptide-derived fluorescent tools. These tools were intended to enable the simultaneous tracking of proton concentration and hydrogen peroxide levels, both of which are critical analytes within biological systems, specifically within autophagic vesicles and mitochondria.