Magnesium ion selective two-photon fluorescent probe based on a benzo[h]chromene derivative for in vivo imaging

A novel, two-photon probe for the detection of free Mg2+ ions in living cells and live tissues has been developed. The probe can be excited by 880 nm laser photons, emits strong two-photon excited fluorescence in response to Mg2+ ions, can be easily loaded into the cell and tissue, shows high photostability, and can measure the Mg2+ ion concentration without interference by Ca2+ ions in living cells. The intracellular dissociation constant (Kdi) for Mg2+ determined by the two-photon process is 2.5 mM, which is suitable for dynamic Mg2+ concentration measurement. In addition, the probe is capable of imaging endogenous stores of free Mg2+ at a few hundred micrometers depth in live tissues using two-photon microscopy (TPM).     

双氰基二苯代乙烯型双光子荧光汞离子探针

分别以双氰基二苯代乙烯(DCS)和双[2-(2-羟乙基硫基)乙基]氨(HSA)为双光子荧光团和汞离子受体,合成了双光子荧光汞离子探针(DHg),并对其结构进行了分析.实验结果表明,DHg在甲苯、乙腈和水中的荧光量子产率(Φ)分别为0.78,0.42和0.20,对汞离子的络合常数通过单、双光子荧光滴定分别拟合为lg K=5.47±0.02和lg K=5.34±0.02.DHg在水溶液中对汞离子具有优良的选择性和高的灵敏性,可用于中性环境中汞离子的检测.DHg的双光子吸收截面(δTPA)在水溶液中高达840 GM,可用于细胞中汞离子的检测与成像.     

衍生于双氰基二苯代乙烯的用于活体成像的双光子荧光锌离子探针

制备了衍生于双氰基二苯代乙烯的双光子荧光锌离子探针, 该探针以4-(2-吡啶甲基)哌嗪为锌离子受体, 当络合锌离子时, 探针的荧光强度增强了72.5倍和580 GM的双光子吸收截面. 该探针无细胞毒性且在体内环境中无pH敏感性, 其解离常数\begin{array}{c}{K}_d^{\mathit{TP}}\end{array}=(0.52±0.01) μmol/L. 性能测试结果表明, 该探针能选择性地检测活细胞中的游离锌离子, 耐时长达约1500 s, 且能探测活体组织80~150 μm深处的锌离子, 不受其它金属离子与生物膜的干扰.     

Two-photon fluorescent turn-on probe for lipid rafts in live cell and tissue

We report a new two-photon fluorescence turn-on probe 6-[(E)-3-oxo-1-dodecenyl]-2-[N-methyl-N-(carboxymethyl)amino]naphthalene (CL2) that is designed specifically for visualizing lipid rafts in living cells and tissues. This probe emits much brighter two-photon excited fluorescence in lipid rafts than in non-raft domains and allows direct visualization of the lipid rafts in the live cells and pyramidal neuron layer of the CA1 region at a depth of 100-250 mum in live tissues using two-photon microscopy.     

Dicyanostilbene-derived two-photon fluorescence probe for free zinc ions in live cells and tissues with a large two-photon action cross section

A novel two-photon fluorescence probe for Zn(2+) derived from dicyanostilbene as a two-photon fluorophore and 4-(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)piperazine as a novel Zn(2+) ligand was developed. The probe shows a 72.5-fold fluorescence enhancement in response to Zn(2+), a large two-photon action cross-section (580 GM), a noncytotoxic effect, and pH insensitivity in the biologically relevant range, and its dissociation constant (K(d)(TP)) is 0.52 ± 0.01 μM. The probe can selectively detect free Zn(2+) ions in live cells for 1500 s or so and in living tissues at a depth of 80-150 μm without interference from other metal ions and the membrane-bound probes.     

1-乙酰基-3-(2-羟基-4,6-二甲氧基苯基)-5-芳基-2-吡唑啉的合成及Cu2+荧光探针行为

设计合成了6个1-乙酰基-3-(2-羟基-4,6二甲氧基苯基)-5-芳基-2-吡唑啉化合物4a～4f.测试了它们的紫外光谱和荧光光谱,研究了其对铜离子的选择性识别作用.结果表明,化合物4f作为铜离子荧光探针,受常见离子干扰较小,对于铜离子有着较高的选择性和较低的检出限.     

Synthesis, fluorescence, and two-photon absorption of bidentate phosphane oxide derivatives: complexation with pb(2+) and cd(2+) cations

A series of fluorescent phosphane oxide derivatives based on diphenylphosphanoethane (DPPE) and diphenylphosphanomethane (DPPM) skeletons has been prepared by means of Grignard reactions and Sonogashira cross-couplings. The photophysical properties and the linear and nonlinear spectra of these compounds have been investigated. An edge-to-face conformation resulting in the formation of an excimer was confirmed by fluorescence lifetime measurements of these multichromophoric derivatives. Upon complexation with heavy metal ions such as Pb2+ and Cd2+, a red shift of the one- and two-photon excitation spectra was observed in the absorption and emission spectra. Furthermore, enhancement of the electron-withdrawing character of the phosphane oxide resulted in a significant enhancement of the two-photon absorption cross-section, leading to the first biphotonic Cd2+ sensors combining high affinity for Cd2+, large two-photon absorption cross-sections, and significant enhancement of the two-photon excited fluorescence in the presence of the cation. Such derivatives are highly promising for incorporation into devices for the detection of heavy metal ions in water and effluents.     

Two-photon Lysotrackers for in vivo imaging

We report two-photon Lysotrackers (CLT-blue and CLT-yellow) that can be excited by 750-840 nm femtosecond laser pulses and emit at 470 and 550 nm, respectively. They can be easily loaded into cells and tissue slices for visualization of lysosomes in live cells and tissues for a long period of time through two-photon microscopy. When combined with appropriate two-photon probes for other biological targets, these novel probes would greatly facilitate the two-photon microscopy colocalization experiments.     

Parametric signal fitting by gaussian peak adjustment: a new multivariate curve resolution method for non-bilinear voltammetric measurements

A novel two-photon fluorescence probe for Pb²⁺ derived from 4-methyl-2,5-dicyano-4′-amino stilbene as a two-photon fluorophore and bis[2-(2-aminophenylsulfanyls)ethyl]amine as a novel Pb²⁺ ligand was developed. The probe possesses small molecule size, large two-photon absorption cross-section (1020 GM), noncytotoxic effect, long-wavelength emission at 609 nm, large Stokes shift (209 nm), excellent photostability, moderate water-solubility, good cell-permeability, and pH-insensitivity in the biologically relevant pH range. The probe can selectively detect Pb²⁺ ions in live cells and living tissues without interference from other metal ions and the membrane-bound probes, and its quenching constant () is 7.58 × 10⁵ M⁻¹.     

Detection of nickel in fish organs with a two-photon fluorescent probe

Molecular imaging by two‐photon microscopy (TPM) has become indispensable to the study of biology/medicine owing to its capability of imaging deep inside intact tissues. To make TPM a more‐versatile tool, a large variety of two‐photon probes are needed. Herein, we report a new two‐photon fluorescent probe (ANi2) that can be excited by 750 nm femtosecond pulses and detect Ni²⁺ ions in fresh fish organs at 90–175 μm depth without interference from the pH value or from other biologically relevant species through the use of TPM. TPM images of fish organs labeled with ANi2 revealed that Ni²⁺ ions accumulate in fish organs in the order: kidney > heart > gill ≥ liver. Moreover, a linear relationship was found between the two‐photon‐excited fluorescence (TPEF) and the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry intensities (ICP‐MS), thereby allowing the quantitative measurement of Ni²⁺ ions in live tissue.     

Decationization and dealumination of clinoptilolite tuff and ammonium exchange on acid-modified tuff

The paper presents results of investigation of exchange of the clinoptilolite tuff cations with hydrogen ions from HCl solution of concentration 0.1 mmol cm(-3) and ammonium ions solutions of concentrations 0.0071 to 2.6 mmol cm(-3). Molal concentrations, x (mmol g(-1)) of cations exchanged in acid solution and in ammonium ions solutions were compared with molal concentrations of cations obtained by determination of the cation-exchange capacity of clinoptilolite tuff. The obtained results show that at ammonium ion concentrations lower than 0.1 mmol cm(-3), with regard to exchange capacity for particular ions, best exchanged are Na+ ions, followed by Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions, while exchange of K+ ions is the poorest (Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+). At ammonium concentrations from 0.2 to 1 mmol cm(-3) the order is Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+. At concentrations higher than 1 mmol cm(-3) the order is Na+ > Ca2+ > K+ > Mg2+. The results are a consequence of the uptake of hydrogen ions by zeolite samples in ammonium ions solutions at concentrations lower than 1 mmol cm(-3) and indicate the importance of Mg2+ (besides Na+ ions) for the exchange between clinoptilolite cations and H+ ions, in contrast to K+ ions, whose participation in the reaction with H+ ions is the lowest. During decationization of the clinoptilolite in acid solution, best exchanged are Na+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ ions, while exchange of K+ ions is the poorest. Due to poor exchange of K+ and H+ ions and good exchange of Na+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ ions, it is to be assumed that preservation of stability of the clinoptilolite structure is caused by K+ ions present in the channel C. Clinoptilolite is dissolved in the clinoptilolite A and B channels where Na+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ ions are present. On the acid-modified clinoptilolite samples, exchange of ammonium ions is poorer than on natural zeolite. The longer the contact time of the zeolite and acid solution, the worse ammonium ions exchange. It can be assumed that H+ ions exchanged with zeolite cations are consumed for solution of aluminum in the clinoptilolite structure; therefore the concentration of H+ ions as exchangeable cations decreases. In the ammonium ion solution at a concentration of 0.0065 mmol cm(-3), from the acid-modified zeolite samples, Al3+ ions are exchanged best, followed by Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and K+ ions. Further to the results, it is to be assumed that exchangeable Al3+ ions available from clinoptilolite dissolution are best exchanged with H+ ions in acid solution.     

细胞内铜离子的双光子荧光成像

基于无荧光的螺环结构与具有荧光的开环酰胺的平衡反应,本文合成了一个能在水基的缓冲溶液中选择性地识别Cu²⁺的罗丹明衍生物FD2.当在HEPES缓冲溶液中加入10当量的Cu²⁺时,FD2的单光子激发荧光和双光子激发荧光的强度均表现出明显的增强;更为重要的是,运用双光子荧光显微技术可以选择性地对活细胞内Cu²⁺进行成像.     

Two-photon sensor for metal ions derived from azacrown ether

A two-photon sensor for the metal ions derived from azacrown ether as the receptor is reported. The sensor emits strong two-photon fluorescence when excited by 800 nm laser photons. Moreover, the binding constants measured by the one- and two-photon fluorescence are similar. This result may be useful for the design of efficient two-photon fluorescence probes for biological substrates.     

Organelle-specific detection of phosphatase activities with two-photon fluorogenic probes in cells and tissues

Two-photon fluorescence microscopy (TPFM) provides key advantages over conventional fluorescence imaging techniques, namely, increased penetration depth, lower tissue autofluorescence and self-absorption, and reduced photodamage and photobleaching and therefore is particularly useful for imaging deep tissues and animals. Enzyme-detecting, small molecule probes provide powerful alternatives over conventional fluorescent protein (FP)-based methods in bioimaging, primarily due to their favorable photophysical properties, cell permeability, and chemical tractability. In this article, we report the first fluorogenic, small molecule reporter system (Y2/Y1) capable of imaging endogenous phosphatase activities in both live mammalian cells and Drosophila brains. The one- and two-photon excited photophysical properties of the system were thoroughly investigated, thus confirming the system was indeed a suitable Turn-ON fluorescence pair for TPFM. To our knowledge, this is the first enzyme reporting two-photon fluorescence bioimaging system which was designed exclusively from a centrosymmetric dye possessing desirable two-photon properties. By conjugation of our reporter system to different cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), we were able to achieve organelle- and tumor cell-specific imaging of phosphatase activities with good spatial and temporal resolution. The diffusion problem typically associated with most small molecule imaging probes was effectively abrogated. We further demonstrated this novel two-photon system could be used for imaging endogenous phosphatase activities in Drosophila brains with a detection depth of >100 μm.     

Lead and mercury sensing by calixarene-based fluoroionophores bearing two or four dansyl fluorophores

A detailed study on the photophysical and complexing properties of calixarenes bearing two and four dansyl derivatives (Calix-DANS2 and Calix-DANS4) in a CH3CN/H2O mixture (60:40 v/v) is reported. Calix-DANS2 shows a high selectivity towards Hg2+ over interfering cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+) and a sensitivity in the 10(-7) mol L(-1) concentration range. The complexation of mercury ion induces a strong fluorescence quenching due to a well-defined electron transfer process from the fluorophore to the metal center. Calix-DANS4 exhibits an extremely high affinity for Pb2+ with a high selectivity over various competing ions. The unprecedented detection limit (4 microg L(-1)) is fully compatible with the level defined by the World Health Organisation. The affinity of Calix-DANS4 for Pb2+ can be rationalized by the activation of the inert pair of electrons on Pb2+. The number of fluorophores involved in the complexation can be determined from a careful time-resolved fluorescence characterization.     

OFF-OFF-ON switching of fluorescence and electron transfer depending on stepwise complex formation of a host ligand with guest metal ions

Stepwise complex formation is observed between 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (TPPZ) and a series of metal ions (M(n+) = Sc3+, Y3+, Ho3+, Eu3+, Lu3+, Nd3+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+, Li+), where TPPZ forms a 2:1 complex [(TPPZ)2-M(n+)] and a 1:1 complex [TPPZ-M(n+)] with Mn+ at low and high concentrations of metal ions, respectively. The fluorescence intensity of TPPZ begins to increase at high concentrations of metal ions, when the 2:1 (TPPZ)2-M(n+) complex is converted to the fluorescent 1:1 TPPZ-M(n+) complex. This is regarded as an "OFF-OFF-ON" fluorescence sensor for metal ions depending on the stepwise complex formation between TPPZ and metal ions. The fluorescence quantum yields of the TPPZ-M(n+) complex vary depending on the metal valence state, in which the fluorescence quantum yields of the divalent metal complexes (TPPZ-M2+) are much larger than those of the trivalent metal complexes (TPPZ-M3+). On the other hand, the binding constants of (TPPZ)2-M(n+) (K1) and TPPZ-M(n+) (K2) vary depending on the Lewis acidity of metal ions (i.e., both K1 and K2 values increase with increasing Lewis acidity of metal ions). Sc3+, which acts as the strongest Lewis acid, forms the (TPPZ)2-Sc3+ and TPPZ-Sc3+ complexes stoichiometrically with TPPZ. In such a case, "OFF-OFF-ON" switching of electron transfer from cobalt(II) tetraphenylporphyrin (CoTPP) to O2 is observed in the presence of Sc3+ and TPPZ depending on the ratio of Sc3+ to TPPZ. Electron transfer from CoTPP to O2 occurs at Sc3+ concentrations above the 1:2 ratio ([Sc3+]/[TPPZ]0 > 0.5), when the (TPPZ)2-Sc3+ complex is converted to the TPPZ-Sc3+ complex and TPPZ-(Sc3+)2, which act as promoters of electron transfer (ON) by the strong binding of O2*- with Sc3+. In sharp contrast, no electron transfer occurs without metal ion (OFF) or in the presence at Sc3+ concentrations below the 1:2 ratio (OFF), when the (TPPZ)2-Sc3+ complex has no binding site available for O2*-.     

吡咯并[2,1,5-cd]中氮茚酰腙衍生物的合成及Cu2+荧光探针行为

设计合成了吡咯并[2,1,5-cd]中氮茚酰腙衍生物6. 测试了其紫外光谱和荧光光谱, 研究了其对铜离子的选择性识别作用. 结果表明, 化合物6作为铜离子荧光探针, 受常见离子干扰较小, 对于铜离子有着较高的选择性和较低的检出限.     

罗丹明类荧光探针的合成及对铜离子的检测

合成了罗丹明类Cu2+荧光增强型分子探针3',6'-双(二乙氨基)-2-(N-乙叉基氨基)螺[异吲哚-1,9'-占吨]-3-酮（RA）,并研究了它的光谱性能及对铜离子的识别作用.在乙腈/水（体积比1/1）的介质中,当加入Cu2+后探针RA显玫瑰红色,最大吸收波长为548 nm,最大发射波长为571 nm,且荧光强度显著增强,但是,其它常见离子如Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Ag+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Fe3+, Hg2+不引起或引起很小的紫外/可见或荧光光谱变化.RA的选择性荧光增强主要是由于Cu2+诱导分子中的酰胺闭环结构发生开环,导致分子结构的共轭程度增大.在6.5×10-8～2.9×10-6 mol?L-1范围内RA可以有效检测Cu2+,检测限为5.0×10-8 mol?L-1.RA对Cu2+的识别不可逆,而且探针RA对pH值不敏感,可以在比较宽的范围内（pH=4.1～10.5）高灵敏、高选择性检测Cu2+.     

Novel chiral N4S2- and N6S3-donor macrocyclic ligands: synthesis,protonation constants,metal-ion binding and asymmetric catalysis in the Henry reaction

New hydrophobic chiral macrocyclic ligands L1-L3 with chiral diamino and thiophene moieties have been synthesized by the Schiff base condensation approach. Protonation constants of L1 and L2 were determined by potentiometry titration. Metal-ion binding experiments exhibited that L1 and L3 are pronounced in selective recognition, Ag+, Cu2+ and Ca2+ ions among the surveyed metal ions (Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Ag+, Li+, Na+, K+, and Ca2+). L1 was found to spectroscopically detect the presence of Cu2+ and Ca2+ to function as a multiple readout sensor. The detection limit for Ca2+ ions was found to be 9.8 x 10(-5) M in CH2Cl2-MeOH solution. The trimeric chiral ligand L3 has been shown to be an efficient auxiliary in a Zn(II)-mediated enantioselective Henry reaction.     

Photodynamic properties of hypocrellin A, complexes with rare Earth trivalent ions: role of the excited state energies of the metal ions

Fifteen complexes of hypocrellin A (HA) with rare earth trivalent ions (except Pm3+) along with the complex of HA with Sc3+ were prepared, and their photodynamic activities, including absorption in the phototherapeutic window (600-900 nm); water-solubility; triplet lifetime; generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen (1O2), superoxide anion radical (O2-*), and hydroxyl radical (OH*); generation of semiquinone anion radical; and affinity to DNA, as well as photosensitized damage on calf thymus DNA (CT DNA), were compared in detail using the UV-visible spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, spin-trapping EPR technique, and laser photolysis technique. All complexes exhibit a red-shifted absorption spectrum, an increased absorbance above 600 nm, improved water solubility, and an enhanced affinity to CT DNA over the parent HA. For ions that possess low-energy excited states, including Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Ho3+, Er3+, Tm3+, and Yb3+, the corresponding complexes show undetectable or nearly undetectable fluorescence, a triplet excited-state lifetime, generation of ROS, and photodamage in CT DNA. In contrast, for ions that do not possess low-energy excited states, including Sc3+, Y3+, La3+, Gd3+, and Lu3+, the corresponding complexes exhibit higher photodamage abilities with CT DNA with respect to HA, benefitting from both their comparable or even higher 1O2 quantum yields and an electrostatic affinity that is higher for DNA than HA.