Photoactivatable fluorophores have been widely used for tracking molecular and cellular dynamics with subdiffraction resolution. In this work, we have prepared a series of photoactivatable probes using the oxime moiety as a new class of photolabile caging group in which the photoactivation process is mediated by a highly efficient photodeoximation reaction. Incorporation of the oxime caging group into fluorophores results in loss of fluorescence. Upon light irradiation in the presence of air, the oxime-caged fluorophores are oxidized to their carbonyl derivatives, restoring strong fluorophore fluorescence. To demonstrate the utility of these oxime-caged fluorophores, we have created probes that target different organelles for live-cell confocal imaging. We also carried out photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) imaging under physiological conditions using low-power light activation in the absence of cytotoxic additives. Our studies show that oximes represent a new class of visible-light photocages that can be widely used for cellular imaging, sensing, and photo-controlled molecular release.

中文翻译：

---

肟作为用于设计可见光光激活荧光团的通用光笼

光活化荧光团已被广泛用于跟踪具有亚衍射分辨率的分子和细胞动力学。在这项工作中，我们制备了一系列光激活探针，使用肟部分作为一类新的光不稳定封闭基团，其中光激活过程由高效的光脱肟反应介导。将肟封闭基团结合到荧光团中会导致荧光损失。在空气存在下的光照射下，肟笼的荧光团被氧化成它们的羰基衍生物，恢复了强荧光团的荧光。为了证明这些肟笼荧光团的实用性，我们创建了针对不同细胞器的探针，用于活细胞共聚焦成像。我们还在没有细胞毒性添加剂的情况下使用低功率光激活在生理条件下进行了光激活定位显微镜 (PALM) 成像。我们的研究表明，肟代表了一类新的可见光光笼，可广泛用于细胞成像、传感和光控分子释放。