Turkish Journal of Biology
Abstract
Background/aim: Fluorescence-based visualization of lipid droplets is essential for understanding lipid-related mechanisms in cancer and other metabolic diseases. This study aimed to design and evaluate a novel benzoxazine-based fluorescent probe for selective lipid droplet imaging compatible with multiplexed fluorescence applications.
Materials and methods: A novel benzoxazine-based fluorophore (EA), inspired by the structural features of Nile Red, was synthesized via a two-step strategy. Structural characterization was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Biological performance was assessed in cancer cells under fixed- and live-cell imaging conditions, including cytotoxicity evaluation and compatibility with dual staining.
Results: EA selectively localized to intracellular lipid droplets in cancer cells under both fixed and live conditions, while exhibiting low cytotoxicity at imaging-relevant concentrations. The probe demonstrated compatibility with dual-fluorescence staining, enabling simultaneous visualization of lipid droplets and protein markers without spectral interference. Additionally, EA maintained its imaging performance under metabolically altered conditions.
Conclusion: EA is a structurally distinct and biologically versatile fluorescent probe for lipid droplet imaging. Its selectivity, low cytotoxicity, and compatibility with multiplexed imaging make it a promising tool for studying lipid metabolism in cancer research.
Author ORCID Identifier
EDA AÇIKGÖZ: 0000-0002-6772-3081
BURAK KUZU: 0000-0002-7305-7177
MUSTAFA ÇAKIR: 0000-0002-8861-5485
DOI
10.55730/1300-0152.2981
Keywords
Benzoxazine fluorophore, lipid droplets, fluorescence imaging, cancer metabolism, dual staining
First Page
377
Last Page
388
Publisher
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK)
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
AÇIKGÖZ, E, KUZU, B, & ÇAKIR, M (2026). Design and synthesis of a novel benzoxazine-based fluorophore with potential for lipid droplet targeting in cancer cells. Turkish Journal of Biology 50 (5): 377-388. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0152.2981
