Fluorescence in the study of steroid metabolism

Abstract

This thesis begins with a literature review that presents the basics of the fluorescence phenomenon and fluorescence microscopy. The literature on cellular cholesterol composition and cholesterol transport mechanisms is extensively studied. Thereafter, the fluorescent steroid-based molecules designed to identify cholesterol and cholesteryl esters suitable for use in living cells are covered. The literature review ends an overview of other applications for the use of fluorescent probes, for example in cell biology.

The aim of the experimental part was to optimize the synthesis pathway for producing fluorescent biocompatible bile acid-based molecules designed for the detection of cholesterol and cholesteryl esters. Preliminary cholesterol-binding assays were also performed for the prepared cholesterol probes by NMR titration, diffusion NMR-experiments, and mass spectrometry.