Fluorescent probes for biological studies

Abstract

The present invention provides fluorescent compounds of formula (I) and methods monitoring protein-protein interactions.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . A compound of the formula (IV): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , and R 9  are each independently hydrogen, fluorine, or alkyl, with the proviso that one of R 6  or R 7  is —NR 1 R 2 , —OR 1 , or —SR 1 ;
 R 1  and R 2  are each independently hydrogen or alkyl; or 
 R 1  and R 2  together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, may form a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered ring; wherein said nitrogen is not conjugated with said 5- or 6-membered ring; 
 Y is NH 2  or C(O)X;
 X is halogen, hydroxy or alkoxy; and 
 
 n is 1, 2, 3, or 4. 
 
   
   
       7 . The compound of  claim 6 , which is of the formula (V): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , and R 9  are each independently hydrogen, fluorine, or alkyl, with the proviso that one of R 6  or R 7  is —NR 1 R 2 , —OR 1 , or —SR 1 ;
 R 1  and R 2  are each independently hydrogen or alkyl; or 
 R 1  and R 2  together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, may form a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered ring; wherein said nitrogen is not conjugated with said 5- or 6-membered ring. 
 
   
   
       8 . The compound of  claim 6 , which is of the formula (VI): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , and R 9  are each independently hydrogen, fluorine, or alkyl, with the proviso that one of R 6  or R 7  is —NR 1 R 2 , —OR 1 , or —SR 1 ;
 R 1  and R 2  are each independently hydrogen or alkyl; or 
 R 1  and R 2  together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, may form a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered ring; wherein said nitrogen is not conjugated with said 5- or 6-membered ring. 
 
   
   
       9 . The compound of  claim 6 , which is of the formula (VII): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , and R 9  are each independently hydrogen, fluorine, or alkyl, with the proviso that one of R 6  or R 7  is —NR 1 , —OR 1 , or —SR 1 ;
 R 1  and R 2  are each independently hydrogen or alkyl; or 
 R 1  and R 2  together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, may form a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered ring; wherein said nitrogen is not conjugated with said 5- or 6-membered ring. 
 
   
   
       10 . The compound of  claim 6 , which is the formula (VIII): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       11 - 20 . (canceled)