Na+ Selective Fluorescent Tools Based on Fluorescence Intensity Enhancements,Lifetime Changes,and on a Ratiometric Response

Over the years, we developed highly selective fluorescent probes for K⁺ in water, which show K⁺-induced fluorescence intensity enhancements, lifetime changes, or a ratiometric behavior at two emission wavelengths (cf. Scheme 1, K1 – K4 ). In this paper, we introduce selective fluorescent probes for Na⁺ in water, which also show Na⁺ induced signal changes, which are analyzed by diverse fluorescence techniques. Initially, we synthesized the fluorescent probes 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 and 10 for a fluorescence analysis by intensity enhancements at one wavelength by varying the Na⁺ responsive ionophore unit and the fluorophore moiety to adjust different K_d values for an intra- or extracellular Na⁺ analysis. Thus, we found that 2 , 4 and 5 are Na⁺ selective fluorescent tools, which are able to measure physiologically important Na⁺ levels at wavelengths higher than 500 nm. Secondly, we developed the fluorescent probes 7 and 8 to analyze precise Na⁺ levels by fluorescence lifetime changes. Herein, only 8 (K_d=106 mm ) is a capable fluorescent tool to measure Na⁺ levels in blood samples by lifetime changes. Finally, the fluorescent probe 9 was designed to show a Na⁺ induced ratiometric fluorescence behavior at two emission wavelengths. As desired, 9 (K_d=78 mm ) showed a ratiometric fluorescence response towards Na⁺ ions and is a suitable tool to measure physiologically relevant Na⁺ levels by the intensity change of two emission wavelengths at 404 nm and 492 nm.     

Development of FRET-based dual-excitation ratiometric fluorescent pH probes and their photocaged derivatives

Dual-excitation ratiometric fluorescent probes allow the measurement of fluorescence intensities at two excitation wavelengths, which should provide a built-in correction for environmental effects. However, most of the small-molecule dual-excitation ratiometric probes that have been reported thus far have shown rather limited separation between the excitation wavelengths (20-70 nm) and/or a very small molar absorption coefficient at one of the excitation wavelengths. These shortcomings can lead to cross-excitation and thus to errors in the measurement of fluorescence intensities and ratios. Herein, we report a FRET-based molecular strategy for the construction of small-molecule dual-excitation ratiometric probes in which the donor and acceptor excitation bands exhibit large separations between the excitation wavelengths and comparable excitation intensities, which is highly desirable for determining the fluorescence intensities and signal ratios with high accuracy. Based on this strategy, we created a coumarin-rhodamine FRET platform that was then employed to develop the first class of FRET-based dual-excitation ratiometric pH probes that have two well-resolved excitation bands (excitation separations>160 nm) and comparable excitation intensities. In addition, these pH probes may be considered as in a kind of "secured ratioing mode". As a further application of these pH probes, the dual-excitation ratiometric pH probes were transformed into the first examples of photocaged dual-excitation ratiometric pH probes to improve the spatiotemporal resolution. It is expected that the modular nature of our FRET-based molecular strategy should render it applicable to other small-molecule dual-dye energy-transfer systems based on diverse fluorescent dyes for the development of a wide range of dual-excitation ratiometric probes with outstanding spectral features, including large separations between the excitation wavelengths and comparable excitation intensities.     

A novel design method of ratiometric fluorescent probes based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer switching by spectral overlap integral

A ratiometric measurement, namely, simultaneous recording of the fluorescence intensities at two wavelengths and calculation of their ratio, allows greater precision than measurements at a single wavelength, and is suitable for cellular imaging studies. Here we describe a novel method of designing probes for ratiometric measurement of hydrolytic enzyme activity based on switching of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). This method employs fluorescent probes with a 3'-O,6'-O-protected fluorescein acceptor linked to a coumarin donor through a linker moiety. As there is no spectral overlap integral between the coumarin emission and fluorescein absorption, the fluorescein moiety cannot accept the excitation energy of the donor moiety and the donor fluorescence can be observed. After cleavage of the protective groups by hydrolytic enzymes, the fluorescein moiety shows a strong absorption in the coumarin emission region, and then acceptor fluorescence due to FRET is observed. Based on this mechanism, we have developed novel ratiometric fluorescent probes (1-3) for protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) activity. They exhibit a large shift in their emission wavelength after reaction with PTPs. The fluorescence quenching problem that usually occurs with FRET probes is overcome by using the coumarin-cyclohexane-fluorescein FRET cassette moiety, in which close contact of the two dyes is hindered. After study of their chemical and kinetic properties, we have concluded that compounds 1 and 2 bearing a rigid cyclohexane linker are practically useful for the ratiometric measurement of PTPs activity. The design concept described in this paper, using FRET switching by spectral overlap integral and a rigid link that prevents close contact of the two dyes, should also be applicable to other hydrolytic enzymes by introducing other appropriate enzyme-cleavable groups into the fluorescein acceptor.     

A novel colorimetric and ratiometric NIR fluorescent sensor for glutathione based on dicyanomethylene-4H-pyran in living cells

Glutathione (GSH) plays a critical role in maintaining oxidation-reduction homeostasis in biological systems. Considering the detection of GSH by fluorescence sensors is limited by either the short wavelength emission or the poor photostability, a highly stable colorimetric and ratiometric NIR fluorescent sensor (DCM-S) for GSH detection has been constructed on the basis of dicyanomethylene-4H-pyran (DCM) chromophore. The specific disulfide bond is incorporated via a carbamate linker as the GSH responsive group, which simultaneously blue-shifts and quenches the fluorescence. Upon addition of GSH, DCM-S exhibits outstanding colorimetric (from yellow to red) and ratiometric fluorescent response with the 6-fold enhancement of NIR fluorescence at 665 nm in quantum yield. More importantly, the GSH-treated DCM-S (DCM-NH₂ actually) possesses 20-fold longer fluorescence half-life period as well as much better photostability than the FDA-approved ICG. Finally, the ratiometric detection of GSH is also successfully operated in the living cell imaging, exhibiting NIR fluorescence and large Stokes shift (215 nm) with nearly no background fluorescence interference. As a consequence, DCM-S can be utilized as colorimetric and ratiometric NIR fluorescent sensor for GSH, with a great potential in the development of GSH-induced drug delivery system.     

A Novel Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of β‐Galactosidase in Living Cells

β‐Galactosidase, a glycoside hydrolase enzyme, has been proved to be an important biomarker of cell senescence and primary ovarian cancer. Effective detection of β‐galactosidase has attracted wide attention. Herein, one ratiometric fluorescent probe has been successfully synthesized for detecting the β‐galactosidase in living cells. The as‐prepared probe exhibits two emission peaks at 490 nm and 530 nm, respectively, and the ratio of fluorescence intensities from the two emission peaks could be utilized to monitor the β‐galactosidase. This present ratiometric fluorescent probe is, therefore, very promising for effective, sensitive, and selective detection of the β‐galactosidase in living cells.     

Design and synthesis of an enzyme-cleavable sensor molecule for phosphodiesterase activity based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Ratiometric measurement is a technique that can provide precise data and even quantitative detection. To carry out ratiometric measurements, it is necessary that the sensor molecule exhibits a large shift in its emission or excitation spectrum after reaction with the target molecule. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is one mechanism used to obtain a large spectral shift. In this study, our aim was to develop a ratiometric fluorescent sensor molecule for phosphodiesterase activity based on FRET. We designed and synthesized CPF4 with a coumarin donor, a fluorescein acceptor, and two phenyl linkers having the phosphodiester moiety interposed between them. In the emission spectrum of CPF4 in aqueous buffer excited at 370 nm, the emission of the coumarin donor was strongly quenched and the emission of the fluorescein acceptor was observed. This emission spectrum demonstrates that energy transfer from the coumarin donor to the fluorescein acceptor proceeds efficiently. Addition of a phosphodiesterase to an aqueous solution of CPF4 resulted in an increase in the donor fluorescence and a decrease in the acceptor fluorescence. CPF4 exhibited a large shift in its emission spectrum after the hydrolysis of the phosphodiester group by the enzyme. This large shift of the emission spectrum indicates that ratiometric measurements can be made by using CPF4. The method described in this paper for designing enzyme-cleavable sensor molecules based on FRET should be readily applicable to other hydrolytic enzymes.     

Ratiometric fluorescent detection of acidic pH in lysosome with carbon nanodots

It is significant for cell physiology to keep the homeostasis of p H, and it is highly demanded to develop ratiometric fluorescent sensors toward p H. In this work, under mild condition, through the electrostatic interaction between carbon nanodots(CDs) and organic molecules, two novel ratiometric fluorescence hybrid nanosensors were fabricated for sensing acidic p H. These nanohybrid systems possess dual emission peaks at 455 and 527 nm under a single excitation wavelength of 380 nm in acidic p H condition.With the increasing of p H, the fluorescence of the 1,8-naphthalimide derivative completely quenches,while the blue fluorescence of CDs keeps constant. Furthermore, the CDsàorganic molecular nanohybrids exhibit excellent anti-disturbance ability, reversible p H sensing ability, and a linear response range in wide p H range respectively. Besides the ability to target lysosome, with one of the nanosensor, stimulated p H change has been successfully tracked in a ratiometric manner via fluorescence imaging.     

Recent Progress of Small-Molecule Ratiometric Fluorescent Probes for Peroxynitrite in Biological Systems

Peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) as a major reactive oxygen species plays important roles in cellular signal transduction and homeostatic regulation. Precise detection of ONOO⁻ in biological systems is vital for exploring its physiological and pathological function. Among numerous detection methods, fluorescence imaging technology using fluorescent probes offers some advantages, including simple operation, high sensitivity and selectivity, as well as real-time and nondestructive detection. In particular, ratiometric fluorescent probes, in which the built-in calibration of the two emission bands prevents interference from the biological environment, have been extensively employed to monitor the fluctuation of bioactive species. In this review, we will discuss small-molecule ratiometric fluorescent probes for ONOO⁻ in live cells or in vivo, which involves chemical structures, response mechanisms, and biological applications. Moreover, the challenges and future prospects of ONOO⁻-responsive ratiometric fluorescent probe are also proposed.     

Ratiometric Fluorescence Imaging of Cellular Polarity: Decrease in Mitochondrial Polarity in Cancer Cells

Mitochondrial polarity strongly influences the intracellular transportation of proteins and interactions between biomacromolecules. The first fluorescent probe capable of the ratiometric imaging of mitochondrial polarity is reported. The probe, termed BOB, has two absorption maxima (λ_abs=426 and 561 nm) and two emission maxima—a strong green emission (λ_em=467 nm) and a weak red emission (642 nm in methanol)—when excited at 405 nm. However, only the green emission is markedly sensitive to polarity changes, thus providing a ratiometric fluorescence response with a good linear relationship in both extensive and narrow ranges of solution polarity. BOB possesses high specificity to mitochondria (R_r=0.96) that is independent of the mitochondrial membrane potential. The mitochondrial polarity in cancer cells was found to be lower than that of normal cells by ratiometric fluorescence imaging with BOB. The difference in mitochondrial polarity might be used to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells.     

镧系金属有机骨架比例荧光检测萘普生

该文构筑了双荧光发射的比例型荧光传感器,并将其用于萘普生检测。以Eu3+为金属节点,1,3,5-苯三甲酸为配体,通过超声法合成了比例型荧光传感材料Eu-MOF。探究了Eu-MOF的形貌特征、光学性质及对萘普生的检测机理。单一激发光照射下,Eu-MOF呈现源于配体和Eu3+的双荧光发射峰。萘普生的荧光发射峰与Eu-MOF在375 nm处的荧光发射峰重合,且两者之间具有内滤光效应。因此,随着萘普生的逐渐加入,Eu-MOF在375 nm处的荧光发射峰强度逐渐增强,而623 nm处则逐渐减弱,从而可实现对萘普生的比例荧光检测。Eu-MOF检测萘普生的线性范围为0.07~2.3μmol/L,检出限为0.039μmol/L。Eu-MOF在萘普生的检测中表现出良好的选择性和抗干扰能力,是实际样品中萘普生检测的优势材料。     

Colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor based on diketopyrrolopyrrole for selective detection of thiols: an experimental and theoretical study

A colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent thiol probe was devised with diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) fluorophore. The probe gives absorption and emission at 523 and 666 nm, respectively. In the presence of thiols, such as cysteine, the absorption and emission band shifted to 479 and 540 nm, respectively. Correspondingly, the color of the probe solution changed from purple to yellow, and the fluorescence changed from red to yellow. The emission intensity at 540 nm was enhanced by 140-fold. The Stokes shift of probe 1 (107 nm) is much larger than the unsubstituted DPP fluorophore (56 nm). Mass spectral analysis demonstrated that besides the expected Michael addition of thiols to the C═C bonds, the CN groups of the malonitrile moieties also react with thiols to form 4,5-dihydrothiazole structure. Probe 1 was used for fluorescence imaging of intracellular thiols. In the presence of thiols, both the green and red channel of the microscopy are active. With removal of the intracellular thiols, signal can only be detected through the red channel; thus, ratiometric bioimaging of intracellular thiols was achieved. The ratiometric response of probe 1 was rationalized by DFT calculations. Our complementary experimental and theoretical studies will be useful for design of ratiometric/colorimetric molecular probes.     

Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe Based on Novel Red-emission BODIPY for Determination of Bovine Serum Albumin

A novel red-emission boron-dipyrromethene（BODIPY） dye with a pyrrole ring was synthesized simply via one-pot reaction. The spectral properties of it were investigated under the conditions of different solvents. The results show that the as-prepared BODIPY dye is extremely sensitive to solvent polarity, and the fluorescent emission enhances with the decrease of solvent polarity. In aqueous buffer, the addition of bovine serum albumin leads to a ratiometric change in absorption spectra with an association constant of 1.16×10^6 L/mol. Meanwhile, the fluorescence emission increases greatly at 622 nm but changes slightly at 575 nm. The response time is very short（less than 3 min）, and the changes of color can be noticed by naked eyes. Bovine serum albumin can be detected by this ratiometric fluorescence probe, but other proteins or enzymes cannot be detected by this method, which indicates that this novel dye has high selectivity towards bovine serum albumin. The reason is that bovine serum albumin has suitable hydro- phobic cavities for binding with the dye. In addition, the dye molecule can penetrate cell membrane easily and make a fast fluorescent stain, which makes it a potential probe for living-cell fluorescence imaging.     

Ratiometric fluorescence detection of bleomycin based on proximity-dependent fluorescence conversion of DNA-templated silver nanoclusters

We design a ratiometric fluo rescent sensing platform for bleomycin(BLM) by using proximity-dependent DNA-templated silver nanoclusters(DNA-AgNCs) probe.This ratiometric sensing system is constructed with DNA-AgNCs as single fluorophore.The proposed strategy is based on the two following facts:(1) a covert DNA can approach and transform the DNA-AgNCs with green emission(G-DNA-AgNCs) into red emission through hybridization reaction.(2) The specific cleavage of the convert DNA by BLM in the presence of Fe(Ⅱ) inhibits the discoloration of G-DNA-AgNCs.Thus,benefiting from the specific recognition of BLM and unique properties of G-DNA-AgNCs,a hignly-sensitive ratiometric sensor for BLM has been successfully developed.The detection limit is as low as 30 pmol/L.This label-free fluorescence probe possesses advantages of convenient synthetic process and low cost.Moreover,this ratiometric method has been applied to the detection of BLM in human serum samples,illustrating a promising tool for analysis of BLM in cancer therapy.     

Synthesis of a new ratiometric emission Ca2+ indicator for in vivo bioimaging

A novel fluorescent calcium indicator with a 490/582 nm ratiometric emission has been designed and synthesized.The indicator exhibits a highly selective ratiometric emission response to Ca²⁺ over other metal cations and a large Stokes shift of 202 nm.Moreover,its practical cell imaging capability for intracellular Ca²⁺ in the resting- and dynamic-state has been demonstrated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells using a confocal laser scanning microscope.     

Dual‐fluorophore Raspberry‐like Nanohybrids for Ratiometric pH Sensing

We report on the development of raspberry‐like silica structures formed by the adsorption of 8‐hydroxypyrene‐1,3,6‐trisulfonate (HPTS)@silica nanoparticles (NPs) on rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RBTIC)@silica NPs for ratiometric fluorescence‐based pH sensing. To overcome the well‐known problem of dye leaching which occurs during encapsulation of anionic HPTS dye in silica NPs, we utilized a polyelectrolyte‐assisted incorporation of the anionic HPTS. The morphological and optical characterization of the as‐synthesized dye‐doped NPs and the resulting nanohybrids were carried out. The pH‐sensitive dye, HPTS, incorporated in the HPTS‐doped silica NPs provided a pH‐dependent fluorescence response while the RBITC‐doped silica provided the reference signal for ratiometric sensing. We evaluated the effectiveness of the nanohybrids for pH sensing; the ratio of the fluorescence emission intensity at 510 nm and 583 nm at excitation wavelengths of 454 nm and 555 nm, respectively. The results showed a dynamic response in the acidic pH range. With this approach, nanohybrids containing different dyes or receptors could be developed for multifunctioning and multiplexing applications.     

Ratiometric detection of pH fluctuation in mitochondria with a new fluorescein/cyanine hybrid sensor

The homeostasis of mitochondrial pH (pH_m) is crucial in cell physiology. Developing small-molecular fluorescent sensors for the ratiometric detection of pH_m fluctuation is highly demanded yet challenging. A ratiometric pH sensor, Mito-pH, was constructed by integrating a pH-sensitive FITC fluorophore with a pH-insensitive hemicyanine group. The hemicyanine group also acts as the mitochondria targeting group due to its lipophilic cationic nature. Besides its ability to target mitochondria, this sensor provides two ratiometric pH sensing modes, the dual excitation/dual emission mode (D_ex/D_em) and dual excitation (D_ex) mode, and its linear and reversible ratiometric response range from pH 6.15 to 8.38 makes this sensor suitable for the practical tracking of pH_m fluctuation in live cells. With this sensor, stimulated pH_m fluctuation has been successfully tracked in a ratiometric manner via both fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry.     

Synthesis and evaluation of self-calibrating ratiometric viscosity sensors

We describe the design, synthesis and fluorescent profile of a family of self-calibrating dyes that provide ratiometric measurements of fluid viscosity. The design is based on covalently linking a primary fluorophore (reference) that displays a viscosity-independent fluorescence emission with a secondary fluorophore (sensor) that exhibits a viscosity-sensitive fluorescence emission. Characterization of fluorescent properties was made with separate excitation of the units and through Resonance Energy Transfer from the reference to the sensor dye. The chemical structures of both fluorophores and the linker length have been evaluated in order to optimize the overall brightness and sensitivity of the viscosity measurements. We also present an application of such ratiometric dyes for the detection of membrane viscosity changes in a liposome model.     

A ratiometric fluorescent probe for thiols based on a tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-coumarin scaffold

In this work, we have designed and synthesized the compound Ratio-HPSSC, based on a tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-coumarin scaffold, as a new ratiometric fluorescent probe for thiols. The ratiometric probe Ratio-HPSSC is highly selective and sensitive to thiols. Importantly, the novel ratiometric probe exhibited a remarkable change in emission color from red to blue. This key feature allows Ratio-HPSSC to be employed for thiol detection by simple visual inspection. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that Ratio-HPSSC is suitable for ratiometric fluorescence imaging of thiols in living cells. We believe that the new ratiometric probe will find interesting applications in chemistry, biology, and medicine.     

基于双发射免标记核酸探针的比率型荧光传感器用于银的检测

构建了一种新型免标记的双发射荧光比率核酸探针(GelRed/[G40]/Tb^3+)并用于Ag+的检测。对于GelRed/[G40]/Tb^3+探针,GelRed作为一种核酸染料嵌入到单链DNA-[G40]中,形成的GelRed/[G40]作为稳定的内置参照标准,在激发波长290 nm处,发射荧光强度固定不变的红色荧光(发射波长为635 nm),而[G40]/Tb^3+作为敏感的响应信号,随着Ag^+浓度的增加,产生的绿色荧光逐渐增强(发射波长为545 nm),[G40]/Tb3+与GelRed/[G40]发射的荧光强度比值也发生相应的改变,从而实现对Ag^+的定量检测。在优化的实验条件下,[G40]/Tb^3+与GelRed/[G40]荧光强度比值和Ag^+浓度在0~7.5μmol/L的范围内具有较好的线性关系,Ag^+检出限为0.156μmol/L。本传感器在10 min内就可完成对Ag^+的分析。方法已用于自来水样中Ag^+的检测,与ICP-MS法检测结果一致。     

An ESIPT-Based Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Highly Sensitive and Rapid Detection of Sulfite in Living Cells

The novel ratiometric fluorescent probe HPQRB with an ESIPT effect based on Michael addition for highly sensitive and fast detection of sulfite in living HepG2 cells is reported. HPQRB can be easily synthesized by a two-step condensation reaction. HPQRB has a large emission shift (Δλ=116 nm), which is beneficial for fluorescence imaging research, and its sulfite-responsive site is based on a rhodamine-like structure with the emission peak at 566 nm, which decreases with increasing sulfite concentration. and its HPQ structure always has an ESIPT effect throughout the reaction process, keeping the emission peak at 450 nm as a self-reference. In particular, HPQRB has high selectivity for sulfite and responds quickly (within 30 s) with a low detection limit (44 nM). Furthermore, HPQRB has been successfully used for fluorescence imaging of sulfite in HepG2 cells, demonstrating the superior ability to detect sulfite under physiological conditions.