Revealing lipid droplets evolution at nanoscale under proteohormone stimulation by a BODIPY- hexylcarbazole derivative

Lipid droplets (LDs) ultrastructure progression under proteohormone stimulation provide valuable clues for understanding conditions associated with obesity and diabetes. Current available LDs probes either alter intra-LDs environments or lack photo-resistance; thus, this research domain is poorly understood. In this work, a N–B–O type BODIPY- hexylcarbazole derivative named BoCz-Lip was rationally designed while achieving specific LDs live-cell targeting. BoCz-Lip showed minimal impact on cell viability as well as internal LDs’ protein, triglyceride and cholesterol level. Along with its good photostability, it can be used to monitor LDs evolution under super-resolution nanoscopy. More importantly, we concluded how proteohormone could influence LDs ultrastructure, offering a better understanding for correlating diseases at the nanoscale. •BoCz-Lip has specific fluorescent response against LDs' phospholipids.•BoCz-Lip to uncover LDs morphology under STED nanoscopy.•BoCz-Lip showed minimal impact on cell viability as well as internal LDs' protein, triglyceride and cholesterol level.