Fluorescent reporters of monoamine transporter distribution and function.

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.