A cyanine-based NIR fluorescent Vemurafenib analog to probe BRAFV600E in cancer cells

BRAF represents one of the most frequently mutated protein kinase genes and BRAFV600E mutation may be found in many types of cancer, including hairy cell leukemia (HCL), anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), colorectal cancer and melanoma. Herein, a fluorescent probe, based on the structure of the highly specific BRAFV600E inhibitor Vemurafenib (Vem, 1) and featuring the NIR fluorophore cyanine-5 (Cy5), was straightforwardly synthesized and characterized (Vem-L-Cy5, 3), showing promising spectroscopic properties. Biological validation in BRAFV600E-mutated cancer cells evidenced the ability of 3 to penetrate inside the cells, specifically binding to its elective target BRAFV600E with high affinity, and inhibiting MEK phosphorylation and cell growth with a potency comparable to that of native Vem 1. Taken together, these data highlight Vem-L-Cy5 3 as a useful tool to probe BRAFV600E mutation in cancer cells, and suitable to acquire precious insights for future developments of more informed BRAF inhibitors-centered therapeutic strategies. [Display omitted] •A fluorescent probe based on the structure of Vemurafenib was developed, Vem-L-Cy5.•Vem-L-Cy5 was chemical-physical characterized by means of spectroscopic analyses.•Vem-L-Cy5 displayed a high affinity binding to BRAFV600E.•Vem-L-Cy5 inhibited cell growth with a potency similar to that of native Vemurafenib.•Vem-L-Cy5 is suitable to study BRAFV600E mutation in solid and hematological tumors.