Design And Application Of A Novel Matrix Metalloproteinase Small Molecule Fluorescent Probe

Objective:Matrix metalloproteinases are closely related to tumor growth,tissue remodeling,tissue infiltration and metastasis,and can guide scientists to constantly adjust the direction of cancer treatment.Therefore,it is of great significance to develop a method that can track and detect matrix metalloproteinases in vivo in real time,which can greatly promote the study of the physiological and pathological mechanism related to matrix metalloproteinases.Based on the structural characteristics of zinc ion active centers in matrix metalloproteinases,we designed a small molecule fluorescent probe,which can be used for its quantitative detection and in situ tracing.Methods:Using 8-hydroxyquinoline nitrogen-oxygen derivatives as small-molecule compound probes,matrix metalloproteinases with Zn²⁺as the active center can be highly selectively identified by complexation reaction.With MMP-2/9 as the representative,the combination of the probe and MMP-2/9 in living cells was visualized through laser confocal fluorescence microscope and immunofluorescence technology.The content of MMP-2/9 was determined by detecting the multiple of fluorescence enhancement after combination with a fluorescence spectrophotometer.The accuracy of labeled target protein was qualitatively verified by probe labeling and immunofluorescence co-localization technique.Results and Conclusion:Small molecular probe can trace matrix metalloproteinases in living cells and quantitatively detect matrix metalloproteinases in vitro.