Functionalization of a viscosity-sensitive fluorophore for probing of biological systems

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0960-894X(98)00241-8

Functionalization of a viscosity-sensitive visible wavelength fluorophore 2-(1,1-dicyanopropenyl-2)-6-dimethylaminonaphthalene (DDNP), with the intent to incorporate its favorable optical properties into a probe for structural and functional imaging by fluorescence microscopy, is described. Spiperone, a highly potent ligand for the dopamine D₂ receptors, was conjugated via an ethylpiperazine moiety to the fluorophore giving fluorescent probes that can be excited in the UV and Vis range.