(E)-6-Methyl-4′-amino-2-styrylquinoline (3) is a small molecule with
the proper features to potentially diagnose, deliver therapy and monitor response to
therapy in protein misfolding diseases. These features include compound fluorescent
emission in the NIR region and its ability to interact with both Aβ and prion fibrils,
staining them with high selectivity. Styrylquinoline 3 also inhibits Aβ self-aggregation
in vitro and prion replication in the submicromolar range in a cellular context.
Furthermore, it is not toxic and is able to cross the blood brain barrier in vitro
(PAMPA test).
