Turn-on fluorescent sensors for Cu-rich amyloid ß peptide aggregates.

Protein misfolding and metal dishomeostasis are two key pathological factors of Alzheimer's disease. Previous studies have shown that Cu-mediated amyloid ß (Aß) peptide aggregation leads to the formation of neurotoxic Aß oligomers. Herein, we report a series of picolinic acid-based Cu-activatable sensors, which can be used for the fluorescence imaging of Cu-rich Aß aggregates.