Molecular Design of SERTlight: A Fluorescent Serotonin Probe for Neuronal Labeling in the Brain.
Journal of the American Chemical Society April 10, 2024 Wei-Li Lee, Xavier Westergaard, Christopher Hwu et al. 18 citations
A novel small molecule fluorescent agent called SERTlight specifically labels serotonin neurons in the mammalian brain. SERTlight is a substrate for the serotonin transporter (SERT) and accumulates inside serotonin neurons, producing a bright and selective optical signal. Unlike many other agents, SERTlight does not activate serotonin receptors or other common targets and is not released by neuronal activity or drugs like MDMA. It is compatible with other imaging tools and can label distant axonal projections while allowing simultaneous measurement of serotonin release. This new tool enables detailed study of the serotonin system in health and disease.