Fluorescent sensor for Cu2+ with a tunable emission wavelength

A concept of fluorescent metal ion sensing with an easily tunable emission wavelength is presented and its principle demonstrated by detection of Cu(2+). A fluorescein dye was chemically modified with a metal chelating group and then attached to the terminus of ss-DNA. This was combined with a complementary ss-DNA modified with another fluorescent dye (ATTO 590), emitting at a longer wavelength. In the assembled duplex, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the fluorescein donor (excited at 470 nm) and the ATTO 590 acceptor (emitting at 624 nm) is observed. Proper positioning within the rigid DNA double helix prevents intramolecular contact quenching of the two dyes. Coordination of paramagnetic Cu(2+) ions by the chelating unit of the sensor results in direct fluorescence quenching of the fluorescein dye and indirect (by loss of FRET) quenching of the ATTO 590 emission at 624 nm. As a result, emission of the acceptor dye can be used for monitoring of the concentration of Cu(2+), with a 20 nM detection limit. The emission wavelength is readily tuned by replacement of ATTO-DNA by other commercially available DNA-acceptor dye conjugates. Fluorescent metal ion sensors emitting at >600 nm are very rare. The possibility of tuning the emission wavelength is important with respect to the optimization of this sensor type for application to biological samples, which usually show broad autofluorescence at <550 nm.     

Optical mercury sensing using a benzothiazolium hemicyanine dye

[structure: see text] The selectivity and sensitivity of a benzothiazolium hemicyanine dye toward mercury(II) in aqueous solutions are described. Mercury ions coordinate to the dye forming a 1:1 complex. This interaction induces a color change in the dye at micromolar concentrations of mercury. Furthermore, the color change and quenching of the dye emission are selective for mercury when compared with other ions such as lead(II), cadmium(II), zinc(II), or iron(II).     

Anodic Dissolution of Gold in Alkali–Cyanide Solutions Containing Microquantities of Mercury Ions

An admixture of mercury ions accelerates dissolution of gold at negative (in the hydrogen scale) potentials and hinders it at positive potentials. In contradistinction to a similar effect exerted by admixtures of thallium, bismuth, and lead ions, the influence of mercury ions, all other conditions being equal, manifests itself at much longer times of contact between gold and solution. This difference is due to a low rate of the act of adsorption (discharge) of mercury ions. The rate increases at more negative potentials, and at E –1.2 V (NHE) the act accelerates to such an extent that looses the limiting role, which passes to the stage of supply of mercury ions to the electrode, as with solutions containing thallium, bismuth, and lead. Comparing these results with earlier data on the adsorption of cyanide ions on gold shows that the discharge of the Hg(CN)^2- ₄ anions stops limiting the formation of a layer of mercury atoms when the adsorption of cyanide ions turns insignificant.     

Multiple fluorescence color transitions mediated by anion-π interactions and C-F covalent bond formation

The emission changes of fluorescent dyes under the influence of environmental changes or interaction with analytes are the basis for designing ratiometric fluorescent probes and logic gates. However, it is rare that only one external stimulus induces continuous fluorescent color changes in a fluorescent dye. In this paper, we report a cage-like molecule formed by two benzene rings and three imidazolium salts which produces continuous fluorescence wavelength changes when interacted with fluoride ions. Fluoride ions are first bound to the center of the cage under the action of anion-π interaction, and the (C?H)⁺···F^– type ionic hydrogen bonds induce the blue-shift of fluorescence. The subsequent formation of C-F covalent bonds with fluoride ions makes the fluorophore wavelength continue to blue-shift, and finally obtains continuous multiple fluorescence changes caused by a single external stimulus. According to the fluorescence wavelength and intensity, six different fluorescence signal channels can be obtained, which can be encoded as six numbers from 0 to 5. We expect that this reaction process can find applications in quantitative anion recognition and molecular counters.     

Ultra-low level optical detection of mercuric ions using biogenic gold nanotriangles

Mercury is a serious environmental pollutant known to have detrimental health effects in all life forms. Here, we report the use of biologically synthesized aqueous gold nanotriangles for sensitive and selective optical detection of femto-molar levels of mercury ions by exploiting the high amalgamation tendency of mercury metal towards gold. Aqueous chloroaurate ions were reduced using lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) leaf extract at room temperature to form gold nanotriangles. Mercuric (Hg(2+)) ions were reduced in the presence of these triangles to facilitate amalgamation and the optical properties were monitored. We observe a significant change in the longitudinal plasmon absorption band of the nanotriangles even at femto-molar concentrations of mercuric ions. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms changes in particle morphology at such low concentrations. This protocol shows no sensitivity to other environmentally relevant metal ions, including Pb(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), Sr(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), and Cu(2+), confirming further that change in the optical properties of gold nanotriangles in the presence of reduced mercuric ions is solely due to the strong amalgamation tendency of mercury metal.     

新型近红外试剂的合成及其现场二聚体与DNA作用的研究

合成了一种新型近红外阴离子染料,并对其水溶液及阳离子表面活性剂ＣＴＡＢ存在下的吸收荧光光谱进行了研究。结果表明,低浓度的ＣＴＡＢ与该近红外阴离子染料形成离子缔合物而使阴离子染料的荧光强度降低,当ＣＴＡＢ的浓度进一步加大时,其胶束前预聚集促使该染料形成非荧光二聚体,导致荧光急剧猝灭。     

一种基于丹磺酰胺染料的高选择性汞(Ⅱ)离子荧光探针

对人类健康和社会环境而言,汞离子被认为是毒性最大的金属离子之一.本文设计、合成了一种新型基于丹磺酰胺染料的荧光探针,并研究了其对金属阳离子的识别性质.研究结果表明:该荧光探针在水溶液中,对汞离子具有高度的选择性和良好的灵敏度,且不受其它金属阳离子的干扰.该探针对汞离子的检测限可以达到2.1×10-8 mol/L.该探针极低的检测限和良好的水溶性表明其可用于活细胞中检测汞离子.生物成像实验证实该探针具有良好的细胞膜透性和生物相容性.     

Determination of Nanomolar Levels of Mercury(II) by Exploiting the Silver Stain Enhancement of the Aggregation of Aptamer-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles

An ultrasensitive method for the determination of mercury(II) ions was developed based on mercury(II)-induced strong and selective binding of thymine-thymine mismatches between aptamers on gold nanoparticles and a signal amplification effect caused by a silver stain. The gold nanoparticles were first coated with a single-stranded DNA aptamer rich in thymine. In the presence of mercury(II), the functionalized gold nanoparticles aggregated due to the formation of thymine-Hg(II)-thymine complexes resulting in a largely reduced surface area of the gold nanoparticles when exposed to silver ions during staining. Therefore, fewer silver ions were reduced, and the average grey values, as measured by a scanner, were lower. The average grey values were linearly related to the logarithm of mercury(II) concentration from 1 to 500 nM. In addition, there were no significant interferences by common metal ions due to the high specificity of the interaction between mercury(II) and the aptamer. The method offers high sensitivity, good selectivity, and the absence of large equipment that makes it suitable for field analysis.     

Optimization of plasmonic enhancement of fluorescence on plastic substrates

In this work, we report on the uniform deposition of tailored plasmonic coatings on polymer substrates and on the distance dependence of the plasmonic enhancement of a fluorescent dye. Silver, gold, and silver/gold alloy nanoparticles (NPs) with a range of diameters were synthesized using chemical techniques and characterized using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Reproducible polyelectrolyte (PEL) layers, which were deposited on plastic microwell plates using a layer-by-layer technique, served as both a stable and uniform substrate for deposition of the NPs as well as providing spacer layers of known thickness between the NPs and the fluorescent dye. A maximum enhancement factor of approximately 11 was measured for 60 nm diameter pure silver NPs, for a dye-NP separation of approximately 3 nm. A shift in the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelength as a function of the effective refractive index of the PEL layers was also observed, and the measured shifts show a similar trend with theoretical predictions. This work will contribute toward the rational design of optical biochip platforms based on plasmon-enhanced fluorescence.     

A Ditopic Fluorescence Sensor for Saccharides and Mercury Based on a Boronic‐Acid Receptor and Desulfurisation Reaction

Two boron‐contained fluorescent sensors, 1 and 2 , based on coumarin have been prepared. The fluorescence response of the two systems was investigated with addition of saccharide and mercury ions. Sensor 2 behaves as a bifunctional fluorescent switch with chemical inputs of D ‐fructose and mercury ions.     

The peculiarities of the effect of mercury ions on the kinetics of gold electrodeposition from cyanide solutions

The peculiarity of the catalytic effect of complex mercury ions (in the concentration of 10^?5 to 10^?4 M) on the gold electrodeposition from cyanide solutions are studied. It is shown that, all other conditions being the same, the catalytic activity of mercury ions is much lower than that of earlier studied thallium and lead ions. Another peculiarity of catalytic effect of mercury ions is the necessity of prolonged (for tens minutes) contact of gold with the mercury-containing solution. Possible explanation for the obtained regularities is proposed.     

Resonance light scattering properties of Eu3+ in gold colloid

Gold colloidal containing rare-earth ions Eu3+ were prepared at room temperature. Fluorescence spectra and resonance light scattering (RLS) spectra of Eu3+ ions and gold colloid containing Eu3+ were measured. For solution containing Eu3+, RLS features show two peaks at the edges of the visible light wavelength region. The short wavelength peak takes place at about 400 nm and the longer wavelength peak is the corresponding 1/2 fraction frequency RLS peak, which takes place at about 780 nm. When gold colloids were added to the solution containing Eu3+, both these two RLS peaks were enhanced. We believe that the energies, which are absorbed by the surface plasmon resonance in the gold nanoparticles, are efficiently transferred into the Eu3+ ions to cause the increased scattering.     

A sensitive fluorescent chemosensor for anions based on a styryl-boradiazaindacene framework

Long wavelength emitting, extended conjugation boradiazaindacenes are novel dyes with considerable ICT character. By appending a dipicolylaminylethylamine group, the parent compound was transformed into a fluorescent dye with a strong chelating ability for Zn(II) ions. The zinc complex which has bright orange fluorescence, reversibly signals anions with very large changes in both the absorption and the emission spectra. The remarkable change in the emission intensity is explained in relation to the electron donating capacity of the substituent on the styryl functionality.     

β-cyclodextrin as the vehicle for forming ratiometric mercury ion sensor usable in aqueous media, biological fluids, and live cells

The selective and sensitive detection methods for toxic transition-metal ions, which are rapid, facile, and applicable to the environmental and biological milieus, are of great importance. In this study, we designed a β-CD-based ratiometric sensor for detecting mercury ions in aqueous media, some biological fluids, and live cells. In this sensing platform, the thiocarbamido-containing probe dye was covalently linked onto the hydrophilic β-CD rim, which is conducive to complexing with metal ion, while the donor dye was anchored inside hydrophobic β-CD cavity via the adamantyl moiety, which is good for avoiding self-aggregation and enhancing the quantum yield of the donor dye. Upon associating with mercury ion, the probe dye undergoes ring-opening process and serves as the energy acceptor and constitutes the FRET system with the donor dye; by this way ratiometric detection of mercury ion in water can be realized with the detection limit of 10 nM. The cyclodextrin plays a crucial role for the sensing system; it not only accommodates both the donor dye and the probe dye which can form FRET system upon addition of Hg(2+) but also makes the sensor water-soluble and cell membrane permeable. This nontoxic sensing platform can be used for mercury ion detection in aqueous medium, biological fluids, and live cells (L929 and Hela). We also found that, upon being taken up by L929 cells, the sensor exhibited no cytotoxicity, and the cell proliferation was not affected.     

Determination of trace levels of mercury in aqueous solutions by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry: Elimination of the ‘memory effect’

The measurement of mercury in aqueous solutions by ICP-AES is adversely affected by the memory effect wherein mercury accumulates within the sample introduction system and is slowly released over time to give increasing response signals at the same initial mercury concentration. The memory effect is obviated by the addition of Hg(II) complexants: thiourea and gold(III) chloride are both effective in preventing mercury sorption and vapor buildup with the latter being preferred because the memory effect vanishes more rapidly. Conditions are described wherein it is possible to quantify low levels of mercury(II) in aqueous solutions by ICP-AES under routine operating conditions that can be applied to other metal ions by adding 1 mg of gold(III) chloride per 3 mg of mercury(II) to those solutions.     

Fluorescent phosphane selenide as efficient mercury chemodosimeter

The synthesis and photophysical properties of a novel fluorescent sensor are described. The phosphorus-selenium moiety allowed a selective mercury salt complexation, followed by the formation of phosphane oxide, which leads to a turn-on of the fluorescence. The sensibility and selectivity toward mercury cations were evaluated (0.18 ppb) and found to be in complete adequation with the targeted level of the World Health Organization, which makes the dye an efficient dosimeter for mercury cations.     

双重对象同时检测的新型荧光纳米粒子传感器的制备

报道了一种基于荧光共振能量转移理论合成的新型纳米粒子. 新型纳米粒子A中掺杂了由亲和素-生物素桥联并可发生荧光共振能量转移(FRET)的供体染料和受体染料; 新型纳米粒子B中只掺杂了供体染料. 在使用供体染料的特征激发波长同时激发纳米粒子A和B时, 纳米粒子A由于荧光共振能量转移而发射出受体染料的特征波长, 而纳米粒子B则只发射供体染料的特征波长. 这样, 在单一波长激发下, 可很容易地实现双重对象同时检测.     

一种基于钝顶螺旋藻藻蓝蛋白荧光猝灭法的汞离子传感新方法

采用反复冻融细胞破裂法、硫酸铵分级盐析以及羟基磷灰石柱层析,从钝顶螺旋藻中提取出高纯度的藻蓝蛋白样品,纯度(A62a/A280)达4.1.该蛋白的紫外-可见吸收光谱表明其特征吸收峰为280、360、620nm,荧光光谱表明其最大发射波长为650 nm.以该藻蓝蛋白为荧光探针,发展了一种基于荧光猝灭法的Hg2检测新方法.并考察了缓冲体系、缓冲液pH值、反应时间、温度以及藻蓝蛋白的浓度等因素对汞离子检测的影响,在0.05 mol/L、pH7.5的磷酸二氢钾-磷酸氢二钠缓冲液中,当藻蓝蛋白浓度为3 mg/L、反应时间为30 min、反应温度为30℃时,该方法的线性范围为0.1～10μmol/L,检出限为0.056 μmol/L.该方法表现出良好的汞离子传感选择性,而且当干扰离子与汞离子的浓度比为40∶1时,多种共存离子对汞离子的检测影响较小.该方法荧光探针提取容易,价格低且环境友好,具有较高的灵敏度和较好的重现性.     

A Hg(II)-specific probe for imaging application in living systems and quantitative analysis in environmental/food samples

Mercury ions are highly toxic and can accumulate along food chains in water, soil, crops and animals. Effective detection of mercury ions in various media is of great significance for maintaining the ecological environment and protecting people’s health. In this work, a mercury ions specific fluorescent probe was developed by a simple one-step reaction of commercial substrates of 4-chloro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole and 1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-methylpiperazine. Investigation on sensing behavior showed that this probe had high sensitivity and selectivity towards mercury ions. Furthermore, this probe could be used as a tool to track the level of mercury ions in living system. In living cells, the probe with green emission emitted a bright red fluorescence when it was bound to mercury ions. In Arabidopsis thaliana, similar red emission could be detected from the root tip and stalk when A. thaliana was grown in culture medium containing mercury ions. The imaging in zebrafish showed that mercury ions were mainly concentrated in the stomach and head of zebrafish. Especially, this probe could be applied in quantitative analysis of mercury ions in tap water, green tea, sea shrimp and soil. This work provided a practical tool for the detection of mercury ions in living systems and quantitative analysis in real samples.     

Probing Distance‐Dependent Plasmon‐Enhanced Near‐Infrared Fluorescence Using Polyelectrolyte Multilayers as Dielectric Spacers

Owing to their applications in biodetection and molecular bioimaging, near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescent dyes are being extensively investigated. Most of the existing NIR dyes exhibit poor quantum yield, which hinders their translation to preclinical and clinical settings. Plasmonic nanostructures are known to act as tiny antennae for efficiently focusing the electromagnetic field into nanoscale volumes. The fluorescence emission from NIR dyes can be enhanced by more than thousand times by precisely placing them in proximity to gold nanorods. We have employed polyelectrolyte multilayers fabricated using layer‐by‐layer assembly as dielectric spacers for precisely tuning the distance between gold nanorods and NIR dyes. The aspect ratio of the gold nanorods was tuned to match the longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonance wavelength with the absorption maximum of the NIR dye to maximize the plasmonically enhanced fluorescence. The design criteria derived from this study lays the groundwork for ultrabright fluorescence bullets for in vitro and in vivo molecular bioimaging.