Biomaterial Database

Coumarin-based, switchable fluorescent substrates for enzymatic bacterial detection. 2018

Giorgia Giovannini, and Andrew J Hall, and Vladimir Gubala

Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy. Electronic address: giorgia.giovannini@iit.it.

Enzymatically-switchable fluorescent substrates, such as the commercially available 4-methyl umbelliferones (4-MU) are used as standard indicators of enzymatic activity for the detection of various microorganisms and pathogens. However, a major disadvantage of 4-MU is its relatively high pKa leading to only partial dissociation of the fluorescent anion under the conditions where the enzymes are most effective (pH 6-6.5). Here we present a method for new, enzymatically-switchable, fluorescent substrates with improved photo-physico/chemical properties. The lead derivative, 4-AAU, shows excellent solubility in aqueous media (0.81 mg/mL) when compared to 4-MU (0.16 mg/mL), significantly improved quantum yield and wider dynamic range of its fluorescence properties. The corresponding bacterial substrate β-4-AAUG showed superior selectivity in the detection of clinically relevant amounts of E. coli, Enterococcus and K. pneumonia (1 CFU). The fluorescence intensity of β-4-AAUG was almost 5 times higher than that of the standard, the detection was possible in reasonably short time (∼ 2.5 h) and with excellent sensitivity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007711	Klebsiella pneumoniae	Gram-negative, non-motile, capsulated, gas-producing rods found widely in nature and associated with urinary and respiratory infections in humans.	Bacillus pneumoniae,Bacterium pneumoniae crouposae,Hyalococcus pneumoniae,Klebsiella pneumoniae aerogenes,Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis
D004926	Escherichia coli	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.	Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D005453	Fluorescence	The property of emitting radiation while being irradiated. The radiation emitted is usually of longer wavelength than that incident or absorbed, e.g., a substance can be irradiated with invisible radiation and emit visible light. X-ray fluorescence is used in diagnosis.
D005456	Fluorescent Dyes	Chemicals that emit light after excitation by light. The wave length of the emitted light is usually longer than that of the incident light. Fluorochromes are substances that cause fluorescence in other substances, i.e., dyes used to mark or label other compounds with fluorescent tags.	Flourescent Agent,Fluorescent Dye,Fluorescent Probe,Fluorescent Probes,Fluorochrome,Fluorochromes,Fluorogenic Substrates,Fluorescence Agents,Fluorescent Agents,Fluorogenic Substrate,Agents, Fluorescence,Agents, Fluorescent,Dyes, Fluorescent,Probes, Fluorescent,Substrates, Fluorogenic
D006923	Hymecromone	A coumarin derivative possessing properties as a spasmolytic, choleretic and light-protective agent. It is also used in ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY TECHNIQUES for the determination of NITRIC ACID.	Imecromone,Methylumbelliferone,Resocyanine,4-Methylumbelliferone,7-Hydroxy-4-methyl-coumarin,Cholestil,Mendiaxon,4 Methylumbelliferone,7 Hydroxy 4 methyl coumarin
D001617	beta-Glucosidase	An exocellulase with specificity for a variety of beta-D-glycoside substrates. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of terminal non-reducing residues in beta-D-glucosides with release of GLUCOSE.	Cellobiases,Amygdalase,Cellobiase,Emulsion beta-D-Glucosidase,Gentiobiase,Emulsion beta D Glucosidase,beta Glucosidase,beta-D-Glucosidase, Emulsion
D016983	Enterococcus	A genus of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria consisting of organisms causing variable hemolysis that are normal flora of the intestinal tract. Previously thought to be a member of the genus STREPTOCOCCUS, it is now recognized as a separate genus.
D058491	Bacterial Load	Measurable quantity of bacteria in an object, organism, or organism compartment.	Bacterial Count,Bacterial Counts,Count, Bacterial,Counts, Bacterial,Bacterial Loads,Load, Bacterial,Loads, Bacterial