Abstract
Highly efficient Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is in great request for sensitive and high signal-to-background ratio imaging of biomolecule in cells, which is limited in many simple energy transfer system. Herein we report a sensitive one-donor-two-acceptors (DAA*) nanoprobe for live-cell imaging by assembling quantum dots (QDs) and BHQ-2 loaded gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through molecular beacon. Both nanometal surface energy transfer (NSET) from QDs to AuNPs through the exciton-plasmon interaction and FRET from QDs to BHQ-2 through the exciton-dipole interaction can synergistically occur, significantly enhancing the energy transfer efficiency. The DAA* nanoprobe with strong photostability was then successfully applied to record the spatiotemporal distribution and dynamics of genomic RNA (gRNA) replication of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in live cells by fluorescence imaging with improved signal-to-background ratio. Furthermore, dark-field microscopic imaging (iDFM) was also used to confirm the fluorescence imaging results after scattering signal amplification of AuNPs in the nanoprobe. This multiple energy transfer strategy with universal applicability for other donor-acceptor system required for higher energy transfer efficiency is promising in long-term bioimaging and biosensing of low-abundance biomolecules.
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