Molecular Probes, Inc.

Mohammad N Malekzadeh

Richard P Haugland

Yu-Zhong Zhang

Michael A Kuhn

Evangelia Foukaraki

Helene Iatridou

Haralambos E Katerinopoulos

The indicator compounds of the present invention are substituted or unsubstituted BAPTA-type chelators that contain a benzazolyl-coumarin substructure, and the pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salts and esters thereof. These compounds are useful for the detection and quantification of polycationic metal ions, particularly Ca.sup.2+. The compounds of the invention have the core structure ##STR1## or the structure ##STR2## where m=2 or 3 and X can be S, O, or C(CH.sub.3).sub.2. The above core structures are optionally substituted by substituents that alter the binding affinity of the indicator, shift the spectral properties of the indicator, or act as a reactive site for the preparation of a variety of conjugates.

Benzazolylcoumarin-based ion indicators

The dyes of the present invention are fluorescent substituted 3',6'-diaminoxanthenes and their reduced analogs 3',6'-diaminodihydroxanthenes, which are oxidized to the fluorescent form of the dye in situ. In their oxidized form, the dyes selectively localize within mitochondria. The dyes of the present invention include an alkylating group that is covalently attached that allows their retention in mitochondria even after cell death, fixation, and permeabilization.

Xanthylium dyes that are well retained in mitochondria

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Eugene, OR, United States of America

Mohammad N Malekzadeh