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A tunable and versatile chemogenetic near-infrared fluorescent reporter

Author

Listed:
  • Lina El Hajji

    (Chimie Physique et Chimie du Vivant (CPCV)
    Chemical Biology of Cancer (CBC))

  • Benjamin Bunel

    (Université PSL)

  • Octave Joliot

    (CNRS UMR144)

  • Chenge Li

    (Chimie Physique et Chimie du Vivant (CPCV))

  • Alison G. Tebo

    (Chimie Physique et Chimie du Vivant (CPCV)
    Howard Hughes Medical Institute – Janelia Research Campus)

  • Christine Rampon

    (Chimie Physique et Chimie du Vivant (CPCV)
    Université Paris Cité)

  • Michel Volovitch

    (Chimie Physique et Chimie du Vivant (CPCV))

  • Evelyne Fischer

    (Université PSL)

  • Nicolas Pietrancosta

    (Chimie Physique et Chimie du Vivant (CPCV)
    Sorbonne Université)

  • Franck Perez

    (CNRS UMR144)

  • Xavier Morin

    (Université PSL)

  • Sophie Vriz

    (Chimie Physique et Chimie du Vivant (CPCV)
    Université Paris Cité)

  • Arnaud Gautier

    (Chimie Physique et Chimie du Vivant (CPCV)
    Chemical Biology of Cancer (CBC)
    Institut Universitaire de France)

Abstract

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent reporters open interesting perspectives for multiplexed imaging with higher contrast and depth using less toxic light. Here, we propose nirFAST, a small (14 kDa) chemogenetic NIR fluorescent reporter, displaying higher cellular brightness compared to top-performing NIR fluorescent proteins. nirFAST binds and stabilizes the fluorescent state of synthetic cell permeant fluorogenic chromophores (so-called fluorogens), otherwise dark when free. nirFAST displays tunable NIR, far-red or red emission through change of fluorogen. nirFAST allows imaging and spectral multiplexing in live cultured mammalian cells, chicken embryo tissues and zebrafish larvae. Its suitability for stimulated emission depletion nanoscopy enabled protein imaging with subdiffraction resolution in live cells. nirFAST enabled the design of a two-color cell cycle indicator for monitoring the different phases of the cell cycle. Finally, bisection of nirFAST allowed the design of a chemically induced dimerization technology with NIR fluorescence readout, enabling the control and visualization of protein proximity.

Suggested Citation

  • Lina El Hajji & Benjamin Bunel & Octave Joliot & Chenge Li & Alison G. Tebo & Christine Rampon & Michel Volovitch & Evelyne Fischer & Nicolas Pietrancosta & Franck Perez & Xavier Morin & Sophie Vriz &, 2025. "A tunable and versatile chemogenetic near-infrared fluorescent reporter," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58017-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58017-9
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