Fluorescent reporters of monoamine transporter distribution and function

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2011 Dec 15;21(24):7387-91. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2011.10.007. Epub 2011 Oct 14.

Abstract

Serotonin is a monoamine serving as a chemical messenger in diverse brain regions, as well as in blood and various other organs. We synthesized six ethylamine functionalized fluorophores as fluorescent probes for serotonin. The one with best spectral properties and aqueous solubility, 6-amino-2-(2-aminoethyl)-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione, was studied in detail both in vivo and in vitro. It was shown to act as a ligand for serotonin transporter (SERT) without acute cerebral or cardiovascular toxicity or adverse effects. Fluorescent serotonin analogs can be used for direct visualization of SERT distribution and activity in live tissue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Isoquinolines / chemical synthesis
  • Isoquinolines / chemistry
  • Isoquinolines / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / chemistry*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Isoquinolines
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • isoquinoline