Bactenecin 7 peptide fragment as a tool for intracellular delivery of a phosphorescent oxygen sensor

Research on cell-penetrating peptides for the intracellular delivery of porphyrin compounds has mainly focused on the use of trans-activator of transcription (TAT)-derived peptides and, to a lesser extent, on proline-rich peptides and phosphorescent metalloporphyrins. In this article, we describe a novel phosphorescent oxygen-sensitive probe for intracellular use which comprises a bactenecin 7 peptide fragment (15-24) conjugated with the uncharged monofunctional derivative of Pt(II) coproporphyrin I (PEPP0). This probe provides efficient loading of various mammalian cells, including PC12, HCT116, SH-SY5Y and HeLa, via cell-type-dependent uptake mechanisms. The conjugate displays a similar distribution in cytoplasm and mitochondria which allows local oxygen levels to be monitored. Respiratory responses of PC12 cells loaded with the conjugate, measured on a time-resolved fluorescent reader, showed significant cell deoxygenation in response to uncoupling by carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone and external hypoxia. Treatment with mitochondrial inhibitors led to a decrease in cell deoxygenation. Although the biophysical properties of this conjugate are similar to those of the phosphorescent intracellular oxygen-sensitive probes described previously, it possesses a number of advantages, including ease of synthesis, high loading efficiency and reliability in physiological experiments with cells. This intracellular probe can be employed for the measurement of intracellular O₂ levels in samples containing mammalian cells using the phosphorescence quenching technique. In addition, the responses to metabolic stimuli can be assessed in a wide range of cells, as can the levels of relative cell oxygenation under external hypoxia.