Connecting at the Cellular Level: A Novel Click-Chemistry Based Visualization of Bile Acid Reuptake

Chaikin, Alexander

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/128155 Copy

Description

Title

Connecting at the Cellular Level: A Novel Click-Chemistry Based Visualization of Bile Acid Reuptake

Author(s)

Chaikin, Alexander

Issue Date

2025

Keyword(s)

• cells
• bile
• acids

Date of Ingest

2025-05-08T12:02:40-05:00

Abstract

It’s as simple as a click. As long as the right endpieces between two molecules are present, a connection will be made thanks to Click Chemistry. This powerful technique utilizes a copper-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition to join molecules together, enabling scientists not versed in the principles of synthetic chemistry to use this technique in their respective fields. Our group applies this technique to visualize the reuptake of bile acids (BAs) along the gut-liver axis. BA uptake has been previously tracked by radiolabeled transport, but not at the cellular level. In this image, HepG2 cells (~15-20 μm), a liver cell line, were treated with Clickable BAs containing an alkyne group. A staining solution with the azide-linked fluorescent tag (red) is coupled to the BAs and visualized under a microscope. At different time points, we can see BAs travel into the cytoplasm (green) and nucleus (blue) where it can exert its effects intracellularly. We are then able to repeat these experiments in vivo to provide further clues in this mystery. By using Click Chemistry, we can connect the pieces of this puzzle to understand how BA uptake occurs as it relates to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Type of Resource

• still image
• text

Language

eng

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Alexander Chaikin

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