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"Zipper" molecular beacons: A generalized strategy to optimize the performance of activatable protease probes

Juan Chen, Tracy W. B. Liu, Pui-Chi Lo, Brian C. Wilson, Gang Zheng

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

Abstract

We report the proof-of-principle concept for zipper molecular beacons (ZMB) comprising an asymmetrical polyarginine/polyglutamate electrostatic "zipper" hairpin-linked fluorophore-quencher pair. The objective is to balance maximal quenching efficiency and optimal two-step activation (protease cleavage/zipper dissociation), while enhancing target cell uptake. This strategy also eliminates the peptide sequence dependence of conventional protease beacons. This ZMB concept is a generalizable approach to improve the functionality of a wide range of diagnostic/therapeutic probes through a simple switching of substrate sequences. © 2009 American Chemical Society.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1836-1842
JournalBioconjugate Chemistry
Volume20
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Oct 2009
Externally publishedYes

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