γ-Resorcyclic acid-based AIEgens for illuminating endoplasmic reticulum

Abstract

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has emerged as one of the interesting sub-cellular organelles due to its role in myriads of biological phenomena. Subsequently, visualization of the structure-function and dynamics of ER remained a major challenge to understand its involvement in different diseased states including cancer. To illuminate the ER, herein we have designed and synthesized ?-resorcyclic acid-based small molecules which showed remarkable aggregation induced emission (AIE) property in water. This AIE property was originated from the dual intramolecular H-bonding leading to the self-assembled 2D aggregation confirmed by the pH and temperature dependent fluorescence quenching studies as well as scanning electron microscopy. These small molecules illuminated the sub-cellular ER in HeLa cervical cancer cells as well as non-cancerous RPE-1 human retinal epithelial cells within 1h. These novel small molecules have the potential to light up ER chemical biology in diseased states.