Quantitative Detection of G‐Quadruplex DNA in Live Cells Based on Photon Counts and Complex Structure Discrimination

G‐quadruplex DNA show structural polymorphism, leading to challenges in the use of selective recognition probes for the accurate detection of G‐quadruplexes in vivo. Herein, we present a tripodal cationic fluorescent probe, NBTE , which showed distinguishable fluorescence lifetime responses between G‐quadruplexes and other DNA topologies, and fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_f) enhancement upon G‐quadruplex binding. We determined two NBTE ‐G‐quadruplex complex structures with high Φ_f values by NMR spectroscopy. The structures indicated NBTE interacted with G‐quadruplexes using three arms through π–π stacking, differing from that with duplex DNA using two arms, which rationalized the higher Φ_f values and lifetime response of NBTE upon G‐quadruplex binding. Based on photon counts of FLIM, we detected the percentage of G‐quadruplex DNA in live cells with NBTE and found G‐quadruplex DNA content in cancer cells is 4‐fold that in normal cells, suggesting the potential applications of this probe in cancer cell detection.     

Hyperfine splitting of the odd 4 F J o , 2 P J o and 4 S J o LaI multiplets

High resolution spectra of LaI lines recorded in the R6G region by laser-induced resonance fluorescence method show well resolved hyperfine structures. The analysis of the hyperfine structure of seven LaI transitions is presented here. It has allowed the deduction of magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole constants of all levels belonging to the excited odd parity multiplets: ⁴ F ^o (J = 3/2-9/2), ² P ^o (J = 1/2,3/2), and ⁴ S ^o (J = 3/2). Some of the results are new and some of them present improved values of the hyperfine splitting constants.     

Intracellular localization of meso-tetraphenylporphine tetrasulphonate probed by time-resolved and microscopic fluorescence spectroscopy.

The effects of solvent pH on spectral properties and fluorescence decay kinetics were investigated in order to characterize the microenvironment of meso-tetraphenylporphine tetrasulphonate (TPPS4) taken up by cells. Steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectra of TPPS4 in buffer solutions of different pH were used to identify a ring protonated species at pH less than or equal to 4. This dictation could also be distinguished from the unprotonated form by its altered fluorescence decay time (3.5 vs. 11.4 ns). In addition, time-resolved spectroscopy gave some evidence of a monocationic species existing at pH 6-9. This was concluded from the occurrence of another component with a decay time of 5 ns. Measurements of the spectral and kinetic properties of the fluorescence emission of single epithelial cells (RR1022) incubated with TPPS4 indicated that the sensitizer was mainly localized in a microenvironment with a pH of 5, a value which occurs intracellularly only within lysosomes. Cells kept in the dark exhibited the characteristic spectra of both the dication and the neutral form. The fluorescence decay showed two components with decay times of 2.6 ns and 10.6 ns. Irradiation of the cells changed the decay times to 4.6 ns and 13.4 ns and the dication fluorescence emission peak vanished, which is in accordance with the results obtained from buffer solutions at pH greater than or equal to 6. Therefore, we deduce that the photodynamic action leads to a rupture of the lysosomes and that the sensitizer is released into the surrounding cytoplasm.     

Ruthenium(II) Complex Enantiomers as Cellular Probes for Diastereomeric Interactions in Confocal and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy

Ruthenium dipyridophenazine (dppz) complexes are sensitive luminescent probes for hydrophobic environments. Here, we apply multiple-frequency fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to Δ and Λ enantiomers of lipophilic ruthenium dppz complexes in live and fixed cells, and their different lifetime staining patterns are related to conventional intensity-based microscopy. Excited state lifetimes of the enantiomers determined from FLIM measurements correspond well with spectroscopically measured emission decay curves in pure microenvironments of DNA, phospholipid membrane or a model protein. We show that FLIM can be applied to monitor the long-lived excited states of ruthenium complex enantiomers and, combined with confocal microscopy, give new insight into their biomolecular binding and reveal differences in the microenvironment probed by the complexes.     

Enhancing and inhibiting effects of aromatic compounds on luminol-dimethylsulfoxide-OH(-) chemiluminescence and determination of intermediates in oxidative hair dyes by HPLC with chemiluminescence detection

The effect of 36 aromatic compounds on the luminol-dimethylsulfoxide-OH⁻ chemiluminescence (CL) was systematically studied. It was found that dihydroxybenzenes, and ortho- and para-substituted aminophenols and phenylenediamines inhibited the CL and phenols with three or more than three hydroxyls except phloroglucin tended to enhance the CL. The CL inhibition and enhancement was proposed to be dependent on whether superoxide anion radical (O₂⁻) was competitively consumed by compounds in the CL system. Trihydroxybenzenes were capable of generating superoxide anion radical, leading to the CL enhancement, whereas dihydroxybenzenes were superoxide anion radical scavenger, causing the CL inhibition. Based on the inhibited CL, a novel method for the simultaneous determination of p-phenylenediamine, o-phenylenediamine, p-aminophenol, o-aminophenol, resorcinol and hydroquinone by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with chemiluminescence detection was developed. The method has been successfully applied to determine intermediates in oxidative hair dyes and wastewater of shampooing after hair dyed.     

Quantitative Detection of G-Quadruplex DNA in Live Cells Based on Photon Counts and Complex Structure Discrimination

G-quadruplex DNA show structural polymorphism, leading to challenges in the use of selective recognition probes for the accurate detection of G-quadruplexes in vivo. Herein, we present a tripodal cationic fluorescent probe, NBTE , which showed distinguishable fluorescence lifetime responses between G-quadruplexes and other DNA topologies, and fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_f) enhancement upon G-quadruplex binding. We determined two NBTE -G-quadruplex complex structures with high Φ_f values by NMR spectroscopy. The structures indicated NBTE interacted with G-quadruplexes using three arms through π–π stacking, differing from that with duplex DNA using two arms, which rationalized the higher Φ_f values and lifetime response of NBTE upon G-quadruplex binding. Based on photon counts of FLIM, we detected the percentage of G-quadruplex DNA in live cells with NBTE and found G-quadruplex DNA content in cancer cells is 4-fold that in normal cells, suggesting the potential applications of this probe in cancer cell detection.     

Influence of Electronic Environment on the Radiative Efficiency of 9-Phenyl-9H-carbazole-Based ortho-Carboranyl Luminophores

The photophysical properties of closo-ortho-carboranyl-based donor–acceptor dyads are known to be affected by the electronic environment of the carborane cage but the influence of the electronic environment of the donor moiety remains unclear. Herein, four 9-phenyl-9H-carbazole-based closo-ortho-carboranyl compounds (1F, 2P, 3M, and 4T), in which an o-carborane cage was appended at the C3-position of a 9-phenyl-9H-carbazole moiety bearing various functional groups, were synthesized and fully characterized using multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Furthermore, the solid-state molecular structures of 1F and 4T were determined by X-ray diffraction crystallography. For all the compounds, the lowest-energy absorption band exhibited a tail extending to 350 nm, attributable to the spin-allowed π–π* transition of the 9-phenyl-9H-carbazole moiety and weak intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) between the o-carborane and the carbazole group. These compounds showed intense yellowish emission (λ_em = ~540 nm) in rigid states (in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 77 K and in films), whereas considerably weak emission was observed in THF at 298 K. Theoretical calculations on the first excited states (S₁) of the compounds suggested that the strong emission bands can be assigned to the ICT transition involving the o-carborane. Furthermore, photoluminescence experiments in THF‒water mixtures demonstrated that aggregation-induced emission was responsible for the emission in rigid states. Intriguingly, the quantum yields and radiative decay constants in the film state were gradually enhanced with the increasing electron-donating ability of the substituent on the 9-phenyl group (‒F for 1F < ‒H for 2P < ‒CH₃ for 3M < ‒C(CH₃)₃ for 4T). These features indicate that the ICT-based radiative decay process in rigid states is affected by the electronic environment of the 9-phenyl-9H-carbazole group. Consequently, the efficient ICT-based radiative decay of o-carboranyl compounds can be achieved by appending the o-carborane cage with electron-rich aromatic systems.     

Strategic molecular design of closo-ortho-carboranyl luminophores to manifest thermally activated delayed fluorescence

In this paper, we propose a strategic molecular design of closo-o-carborane-based donor–acceptor dyad system that exhibits thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) in the solution state at ambient temperature. Planar 9,9-dimethyl-9H-fluorene-based compounds with closo- and nido-o-carborane cages appended at the C2-, C3-, and C4-positions of each fluorene moiety (closo-type: 2FC, 3FC, 4FC, and 4FCH, and nido-type: nido-4FC = [nido-form of 4FC]·[NBu₄]) were prepared and characterized. The solid-state molecular structure of 4FC exhibited a significantly distorted fluorene plane, which suggests the existence of severe intramolecular steric hindrance. In photoluminescence measurements, 4FC exhibits a noticeable intramolecular charge transition (ICT)-based emission in all states (solution at 298 K and 77 K, and solid states); however, emissions by other closo-compounds were observed in only the rigid state (solution at 77 K and film). Furthermore, nido-4FC did not exhibit emissive traces in any state. These observations verify that all radiative decay processes correspond to ICT transitions triggered by closo-o-carborane, which acts as an electron acceptor. Relative energy barriers calculated by TD-DFT as dihedral angles around o-carborane cages change in closo-compounds, which indicates that the structural formation of 4FC is nearly fixed around its S₀-optimized structure. This differs from that for other closo-compounds, wherein the free rotation of their o-carborane cages occurs easily at ambient temperature. Such rigidity in the structural geometry of 4FC results in ICT-based emission in solution at 298 K and enhancement of quantum efficiency and radiative decay constants compared to those for other closo-compounds. Furthermore, 4FC displays short-lived (∼0.5 ns) and long-lived (∼30 ns) PL decay components in solution at 298 K and in the film state, respectively, which can be attributed to prompt fluorescence and TADF, respectively. The calculated energy difference (ΔE_ST) between the first excited singlet and triplet states of the closo-compounds demonstrate that the TADF characteristic of 4FC originates from a significantly small ΔE_ST maintained by the rigid structural fixation around its S₀-optimized structure. Furthermore, the strategic molecular design of the o-carborane-appended π-conjugated (D–A) system, which forms a rigid geometry due to severe intramolecular steric hindrance, can enhance the radiative efficiency for ICT-based emission and trigger the TADF nature.

The first example of a closo-o-carboranyl compound demonstrating thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) nature in solution is shown, and a strategic molecular design of a closo-o-carboranyl luminophore to exhibit TADF is proposed.     

A turn on ESIPT probe for rapid and ratiometric fluorogenic detection of homocysteine and cysteine in water with live cell-imaging

5(Benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-hydroxyisophthalaldehyde (BHI), an intense ESIPT containing molecule in mixed media loses its properties due to resonance-assisted H-bond (RAHB) in absolute water. Due to resonance-assisted H-bond the o-aldehyde is more reactive than the other one. With addition of cysteine/homocysteine into this solution the o-aldehyde group gets transformed into thiazolidine/thiazine ring, respectively, and the phenolic proton becomes free enough for transfer to nitrogen of the benzothiazole ring in excited state, that is, the ESIPT of BHI is turned on. Thus we can detect cysteine/homocysteine in water as well as in live cells.     

Copper–Alkyne Complexation Responsible for the Nucleolar Localization of Quadruplex Nucleic Acid Drugs Labeled by Click Reactions

G‐Quadruplex(es) (G4) are noncanonical nucleic‐acid structures found in guanine‐rich sequences. They can be targeted with small molecules (G4 ligands) acting as reporters, for tracking both in vitro and in cells. We explored the cellular localization of PhenDC₃, one of the most powerful G4 ligands, by synthesizing two clickable azide and alkyne derivatives (PhenDC₃‐alk, PhenDC₃‐az) and labeling them in situ with the corresponding Cy5 click partners. A careful comparison of the results obtained for the copper‐based CuAAC and copper‐free SPAAC methodologies in fixed cells implicated Cu^I/alkyne intermediates in the nonspecific localization of ligands (and fluorophores) to the nucleoli. By contrast, SPAAC yielded similar nucleoplasmic labeling patterns in fixed and live cells. Our findings demonstrate the need for great care when using CuAAC to localize drugs in cells, and show that SPAAC gives results that are more consistent between fixed and live cells.     

Fluorescence imaging of Foscan and Foslip in the plasma membrane and in whole cells

A fluorescence microscope equipped with a condenser for total internal reflection (TIR) illumination was combined with a pulsed laser diode and a time-gated image intensifying camera for fluorescence lifetime measurements of single cells. In particular, fluorescence patterns, decay kinetics, and lifetime images of the lipophilic photosensitizers Foscan and Foslip were studied in whole cells as well as in close vicinity to their plasma membranes. Fluorescence lifetimes of both photosensitizers in cultivated HeLa cells decreased from about 8 ns at an incubation time of 3 h to about 5 ns at an incubation time of 24 h. This seems to result from an increase in aggregation (or self-quenching) of the photosensitizers during incubation. Selective measurements within or in close proximity to the plasma membrane indicate that Foscan and Foslip are taken up by the cells in a similar way, but may be located in different cellular sites after an incubation time of 24 h. A combination of TIR and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), described for the first time, appears to be promising for understanding some key mechanisms of photodynamic therapy (PDT).     

Recent developments in novel blue/green/red/NIR small fluorescent probes for in cellulo tracking of RNA/DNA G-quadruplexes

The detection and stabilization of G-quadruplexes (G4s) in living systems is of enormous applicability in the fields of chemical biology and therapeutic materials. Whereas DNA serves as a genetic material, RNA functions in the regulation and expression of genetic materials. Even there is various report on fluorescent probes invitro G4s recognitions, in this review we highlighted briefly, in-cellulo identification of G4s along with conventional methods principles. Although there are varieties of G4-forming sequences in the genome, targeting a specific type (topology) in living cells is highly challenging because of the high instability of G4s in cellular/subcellular systems. In contrast, several reports describe the in vitro identification of G4s, along with in-cell demonstrations, using efficient fluorescent probes, through either intrinsic or extrinsic approaches. In the intrinsic mode, the sensing results from the use of highly selective synthetic fluorescent oligonucleotides or proteins (a labeling approach). In the extrinsic mode, quencher-free small molecular probes are used to recognize specific G4s under physiological conditions. Because of their robustness, simplicity, and ease of handling, this review describes recent trends in the use of blue/green, green, red, and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes for the recognition of G4s in live cells-and, particularly, those approaches employing quencher-free probes. Also highlighted are a few labeled probes, and their in cellulo localizations, which were accomplished upon the formation of non-canonical G4s under specified conditions and supplemented by exogenous G4-forming components, without harnessing cellular physiological conditions.     

Time-resolved fluorescence microscopy for measuring specific coenzymes in methanogenic bacteria

Measurements of time-resolved photobleaching and nanosecond fluorescence decay from microscopic samples of methanogenic bacteria are reported. From cultures of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum and Methanosarcina barkeri, decay times of 1 ns and 3 ns were obtained for the specific coenzymes F₄₂₀ and 7-methylpterin, respectively. In contrast to methylpterin, the fluorescence of F420 was bleached selectively, with a time constant of about 160 s, at an irradiation power density of 5 mW mm^?2. Similar time constants were found for samples of sewage sludge containing methanogenic bacteria. Active and inactive bacterial cells could be differentiated by following the course of photobleaching.     

Complex fluorescence decay of quinine bisulphate in aqueous sulphuric acid solution

Fluorescence of quinine bisulphate is shown to be two-component. In 1.0 N H₂SO₄ solution the major component has a decay time ≈20 ns, but there is a minor component with decay time ≈2 ns with a different fluorescence spectrum. It is recommended that the compound not be used as a standard for decay-time measurements.     

Xanthene Dye Chemiluminescence for Determination of Free Chlorine in Water

Abstract

Preliminary investigations by a batch method are described for aiming at the flow determination of free chlorine in water with novel chemiluminescence (CL) detection. The CL originates from the reaction of xanthene dyes with free chlorine, Cl₂, HOCl, and OCl^?. Through the measurements of CL decay curves, fundamental CL characteristics were explored from the analytical point of view. Among xanthene dyes tested, eosin Y. eosin B. pyronin B. and rhodamine 6G were found to be promising CL reagents with such sensitivity and selectivity that free chlorine can be readily determined in tap water. In particular. these CL systems have the special advantage of being insensitive to oxo acids of chlorine and chloramine. Recommended flow systems are proposed.     

Emission spectra of the radical cations of 1,3-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene in the gas phase

Emission spectra of the radical cations of 1,3-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene-h₄ (and -d₄), and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene, excited in the gas phase by controlled electron impact, are presented. The band systems, which lie in the 500–750 nm wavelength region, are attributed to the B?(π^?1) → X?(π^?) electronic transition of the cations on the basis of photoelectron spectroscopic data. The NeI excited photoelectron spectra and the ionisation energies of chloro-,o-,m-,p-dichloro- and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene have been obtained. The information acquired from the emission and photoelectron spectra is discussed and compiled to deduce the symmetry of the B? states. Emission, with quantum yield > 10^?5, could not be detected with electronically excited radical cations of chloro-,o-dichloro-, 1,2,4- and 1,2,3-trichloro- and tetrachloro-benzenes. This is attributed to the nature of the B? states, which arise by σ^?1 ionisation processes. The lifetimes of the zeroth and some vibrationally excited levels of the B?(π^?1) states were also measured and found to be 22 ± 2 ns for 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene cation and < 6 ns for 1,3- and 1,4-dichlorobenzene cations. The lifetimes of the latter two electronically excited cations are estimated to be two orders of magnitude shorter than 6 ns from the measurement of the relative emission intensities of the B? → B? band systems of the three title cations.     

Infrared spectroscopic studies of some piperidine metal(II) clathrates: M(C5H11N)2Ni(CN)4·G (M = Co,Ni; G = m-xylene,p-xylene or o-xylene; M = Ni; G = dioxane)

IR spectra of M(C₅H₁₁N)₂Ni(CN)₄·G (M=Co, Ni; G=o-, m- or p-xylene; M=Ni; G=dioxane) are reported. These clathrates are analogues to the previously reported classical Hofmann-type clathrates.     

A specific probe for two-photon fluorescence lysosomal imaging

Lysosomes are vital organelles in physiological processes, as they receive and degrade macromolecules from the secretory and endocytic procedures. Evidences have shown that lysosomes were related to oncogenic activation and cancer progression, so lysosomes targeting and imaging probes make them convenient to be observed. In this study, a lysosome specific probe W-7 was designed and synthesized via convenient one-pot reaction and Heck reaction. This probe was derived from Tröger's base with a dimethylaminomethyl end group. The optical properties of this compound were measured. W-7 also showed two-photon absorption (TPA) effect by using laser excitation at the wavelength of infrared light. In vivo experiment, W-7 showed high specificity and selectivity for lysosomes in living cells (HeLa cells, MRC-5 cells and NRK cells), compared with LT Red, GT Red and MT Red (R = 0.96). Two-photon fluorescence images of HeLa cells stained by W-7 were obtained. And high resolution 3D reconstruction of lysosomes in one HeLa cell was provided by using two-photon confocal microscopy. The anantioseparation of racemic W-7 was carried out by chiral-HPLC, and the two enantiomers showed no significant difference in lysosomes imaging.     

Paramagnetische organothallium(III)-verbindungen in lösung : II. Esr-untersuchungen paramagnetischer diphenylthallium(III)-komplexemit o-aminophenolen und o-phenylendiaminen

Diphenylthalliumhydroxide reacts in organic solvents with o-aminophenols and o-phenylenediamines to form paramagnetic species, the ESR spectra of which have been investigated. The reaction has been run using 32 ligands in numerous solvents, therefore the general application of the reaction is proved.The ESR spectra of the solutions show typical hydrogen nitrogen hyperfine structures indicating a NH-analogue semiquinone structure for the ligands. Furthermore a very large splitting due to magnetic coupling of the free electron with ²⁰³Tl- and ²⁰⁵Tl-nuclei is observed. In contrast to the paramagnetic diphenylthallium—semiquinone complexes [1a], the different coupling of ²⁰³Tl- and ²⁰⁵Tl-nuclei could be resolved in several cases.The thallium splitting observed increases from the semiquinone complexes (~10 G) to the aminophenol radicals (~40 G) and reaches a maximum value for the o-phenylenediamine derivatives (~90 G). The corresponding g-values decrease strongly in this direction. Thus a clear distinction of these classes of ligands becomes possible.The experimental thallium coupling constants and the g-factors depend largely on the substituent of the ligand, the solvent and the temperature. These effects are interpreted in terms of solvation phenomena.Based on the sum of the observed effects we assume that in all cases the radicals investigated are ion pairs in which the diphenylthallium cation interacts with a new type of ligand, namely NH-analogue semiquinones.     

Comments on the relation: positronium lifetime – free volume size parameters of the Tao–Eldrup model

The author is discussing the parameters appearing in the Tao–Eldrup (TE) model describing the ortho-positronium (o-Ps) lifetime dependence on the size of free volume in which Ps is trapped. Parameter values are not universal, applicable to all media. The Ps penetration to the bulk should depend on Ps work function; the o-Ps decay rate is strongly influenced by the contact density factor.