Turn-on fluorescent sensors for Cu-rich amyloid peptide aggregates

Protein misfolding and metal dishomeostasis are two key pathological factors of Alzheimer's disease. Previous studies have shown that Cu-mediated amyloid beta (A beta) peptide aggregation leads to the formation of neurotoxic A beta oligomers. Herein, we report a series of picolinic acid-based Cu-activatable sensors, which can be used for the fluorescence imaging of Cu-rich A beta aggregates. A series of Cu-activatable sensors is reported which can be used for the fluorescence imaging of Cu-rich amyloid-beta peptide aggregates.