Improvement and biological applications of fluorescent probes for zinc,ZnAFs

The development and cellular applications of novel fluorescent probes for Zn2+, ZnAF-1F, and ZnAF-2F are described. Fluorescein is used as a fluorophore of ZnAFs, because its excitation and emission wavelengths are in the visible range, which minimizes cell damage and autofluorescence by excitation light. N,N-Bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine, used as an acceptor for Zn2+, is attached directly to the benzoic acid moiety of fluorescein, resulting in very low quantum yields of 0.004 for ZnAF-1F and 0.006 for ZnAF-2F under physiological conditions (pH 7.4) due to the photoinduced electron-transfer mechanism. Upon the addition of Zn2+, the fluorescence intensity is quickly increased up to 69-fold for ZnAF-1F and 60-fold for ZnAF-2F. Apparent dissociation constants (K(d)) are in the nanomolar range, which affords sufficient sensitivity for biological applications. ZnAFs do not fluoresce in the presence of other biologically important cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+, and are insensitive to change of pH. The complexes with Zn2+ of previously developed ZnAFs, ZnAF-1, and ZnAF-2 decrease in fluorescence intensity below pH 7.0 owing to protonation of the phenolic hydroxyl group of fluorescein, whose pKa value is 6.2. On the other hand, the Zn2+ complexes of ZnAF-1F and ZnAF-2F emit stable fluorescence around neutral and slightly acidic conditions because the pKa values are shifted to 4.9 by substitution of electron-withdrawing fluorine at the ortho position of the phenolic hydroxyl group. For application to living cells, the diacetyl derivative of ZnAF-2F, ZnAF-2F DA, was synthesized. ZnAF-2F DA can permeate through the cell membrane, and is hydrolyzed by esterase in the cytosol to yield ZnAF-2F, which is retained in the cells. Using ZnAF-2F DA, we could measure the changes of intracellular Zn2+ in cultured cells and hippocampal slices.     

Bis-azamacrocyclic anthracene as a fluorescent chemosensor for cations in aqueous solution

A bis-azamacrocyclic anthracene (L2), which has two a 12-membered cyclic tetraamine (cyclen) connected through a 9,10-dimethylanthracene spacer, has been synthesized as a new fluorescent chemosensor for detection of pH and metal cations in aqueous solution (cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane, L2 = 9,10-bis(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1-ylmethyl)anthracene). The fluorescence response of L2 has been studied in comparison to that of the previously reported monoazamacrocyclic anthracene (L1 = 1-(9-anthrylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane). Plots of the fluorescence intensity of L2 against pH demonstrate a sigmoidal curve with pKa 7.4, which is lower than that of L1 (8.3). Potentiometric titration reveals that the increase in the L2 fluorescence requires protonation of both cyclen rings, thus resulting in the lower pKa value. L2 demonstrates impressive fluorescence response against metal cations. At basic pH, upon addition of Zn2+ or Cd2+, L1 leads to an increase in the fluorescence intensity with a 1:1 metal-intensity response. L2, however, shows a 2:1 response to Zn2+, while showing a 1:1 response to Cd2+. At neutral pH, L1 fluorescence decreases upon addition of Zn2+ or Cd2+ because of a formation of metal-anthracene pi complex. L2, however, still demonstrates a Zn2+-induced increase in intensity with a 2:1 response, while no change in intensity is observed upon Cd2+ addition. The obtained findings suggest potential utilities of L2 as a new type fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of cations in aqueous solution.     

Boron dipyrromethene fluorophore based fluorescence sensor for the selective imaging of Zn(II) in living cells

A simple PET fluorescence sensor (BDA) for Zn2+ that utilizes 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-boron dipyrromethene as a reporting group and di(2-picolyl)amine as a chelator for Zn2+ has been synthesized and characterized. BDA has an excitation (491 nm) and emission wavelength (509 nm) in the visible range. The fluorescence quantum yields of the zinc-free and zinc-bound states of BDA are 0.077 and 0.857, respectively. With a low pKa of 2.1 +/- 0.1, BDA has the advantage of less sensitivity to pH than fluorescein-based Zn2+ sensors, and the fluorescence emission of zinc-binding is pH-independent in the range of pH 3-10. Under physiological conditions, metal ions such as Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+ and Fe2+ have little interference. The apparent dissociation constant (Kd) is 1.0 +/- 0.1 nM. Using fluorescence microscopy, the sensor is shown to be capable of imaging intracellular Zn2+ changes.     

Carbazole as an excited state proton transfer fluorescent probe for lipid bilayers in alkaline medium

In our effort to look for novel excited state proton transfer (ESPT) fluorescent probes in alkaline pH range, we have examined carbazole as a possible candidate because of its high extinction coefficient, high quantum yield and a larger difference in ionization constant between the ground and excited state (pKa - pKa*). The photodissociation of carbazole was studied in liposome membrane by steady state fluorescence measurements at alkaline pH ranges. The neutral form and the anionic form of carbazole emit at 362 and 417 nm, respectively. This large shift in emission makes it convenient to monitor the physical properties of liposomes. The neutral form fluorescence intensity of carbazole is sensitive to phase changes in the membrane and also shows a maximum at phase transition temperature. This variation of intensity can be explained in terms of redistribution of probe between the surface and interior of the liposomes. Cholesterol induced phase changes of liposomes were also sensed by the ESPT of carbazole.     

Design and synthesis of highly sensitive and selective fluorescein-derived magnesium fluorescent probes and application to intracellular 3D Mg2+ imaging

The role of intracellular magnesium ions is of high interest in the fields of pharmacology and cellular biology. To accomplish the dynamic and three-dimensional imaging of intracellular Mg2+, there is a strong desire for the development of optimized Mg2+ fluorescent probes. In this paper we describe the design, synthesis, and cellular application of the three novel Mg2+ fluorescent probes KMG-101, -103, and -104. The compounds of this series feature a charged beta-diketone as a binding site specific for Mg2+ and a fluorescein residue as the fluorophore that can be excited with an Ar+ laser such as is widely used in confocal scanning microscopy. This molecular design leads to an intensive off-on-type fluorescent response toward Mg2+ ions. The two fluorescent probes KMG-103 and -104 showed suitable dissociation constants (Kd,Mg2+ = 2 mM) and nearly a 10-fold fluorescence enhancement over the intracellular magnesium ion concentration range (0.1-6 mM), allowing high-contrast, sensitive, and selective Mg2+ measurements. For intracellular applications, the membrane-permeable probe KMG-104AM was synthesized and successfully incorporated into PC12 cells. Upon application of the mitochondria uncoupler FCCP to the probe-incorporated cells, the resulting increase in the free magnesium ion concentration could be followed over time. By using a confocal microscope, the intracellular 3D magnesium ion concentration distributions were satisfactorily observed.     

改进的罗丹明类钯离子荧光分子探针

用罗丹明B与水合肼反应生成的中间体与溴丙炔反应合成了荧光增强型Pd2+检测用探针RPd5。 与Pd2+结合后,RPd5的吸收及荧光强度明显增强,其荧光强度增强约40倍,并使检测时间缩短至约16 min。 探针RPd5对Pd2+的响应灵敏,最低检出限为2.31×10-6 mol/L,可以在较宽pH值范围内特别是近中性pH值环境下有效检测Pd2+。 RPd5可以实现对Pd2+以比色及荧光2种途径的可视化识别,并可应用于土壤、池塘水等实际样品中痕量Pd2+的检测。 RPd5还可制成试纸用于纯净水中Pd2+检测。     

基于双控荧光开关的NOR和OR分子逻辑门

合成了L-精氨酸蒽衍生物1, 考察了碱土及过渡金属离子对主体分子1荧光光谱的影响, 结果发现, 在中性水溶液条件下只有Cu2＋能有效地猝灭其荧光. 另外, 通过OH－/H＋和Cu2＋/乙二胺四乙酸(EDTA)均能对化合物1的荧光强度进行可逆性调控. 在此基础上, 我们以化合物1水溶液作为起始状态, 以OH－和Cu2＋为两化学输入, 构建了一个“或非”(NOR)分子逻辑门; 以1-Cu2＋水溶液体系作为起始状态, 以H＋和EDTA为两化学输入, 构建了一个“或”(OR)分子逻辑门.     

四环素-Ca2+-CTMAB三元配合物体系荧光光谱的研究与应用

研究了Ca2+和阳离子表面活性剂CTMAB对四环素(TC)的荧光增敏作用,提出了一种利用Ca2+-TC-CTMAB三元配合物协同增敏体系来测定TC含量的新方法.在Ca2+-CTMAB及TC共存体系中,由于三元配合物的生成使TC的荧光强度急剧增加,其荧光强度与TC浓度在8.0×109-9～1.0×10-5 mol/L范围内具有良好的线性关系,方法检出限为5.97×10-9 mol/L.该法用于TC片剂、尿液及牛奶中残留TC的测定,加标回收率为82.4%～98.3%.同时对TC在不同介质中的荧光增敏作用机理进行了初步探讨.     

Fluorescent Switch Behavior of 1, 2-Bis（4-pyridyl） Ethylene Controlled by pH in Aqueous Solution

With the decrease of pH value from 8.45 to -1.0, the UV-Vis absorption and fluorescent spectra of 1,2-bis（4-pyridyl） ethylene（BPE） took on the same changing trend at four different successive pH stages： 8.45--7.20, 7.20--5.62, 5.62--2.60, and 2.60--1.0, namely, no change, decrease, increase, and decrease again. Among these, in a range of 7.20--5.62, the fluorescence wavelength blueshifted from 418 to 359 nm, but the UV-Vis absorption wavelength, in contrast, redshifted from 285 to 298 nm. The fluorescence intensity of BPE had a drop even to quench upon a decline in the pH value from 2.60 to -1.0 probably owing to its cation-re interaction to reduce the π electron cloud density of BPE. Two dissociation constants, pKa1（4.30±0.01） and PKa2（5.65±0.04）, were obtained based on fluorescence data. The changes of fluorescence spectra indicate that BPE has ＂oft-on-off＂ switch behavior. The fluorescent spectra of BPE were nearly independent on the presence of α- and β-cyclodextrins.     

A new fluorescent probe for zinc(II): an 8-hydroxy-5-N,N-dimethylaminosulfonylquinoline-pendant 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane

A new fluorescent probe for Zn2+, namely, 8-hydroxy-5-N,N-dimethylaminosulfonylquinolin-2-ylmethyl-pendant cyclen (L8), was designed and synthesized (cyclen=1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane). By potentiometric pH, 1H NMR, and UV spectroscopic titrations, the deprotonation constants pKa1-pKa6 of L(8)4 HCl were determined to be <2, <2, <2 (for amino groups of the cyclen and quinoline moieties), 7.19+/-0.05 (for 8-OH of the quinoline moiety), 10.10+/-0.05, and 11.49+/-0.05, respectively, at 25 degrees C with I=0.1 (NaNO3). The results of 1H NMR, potentiometric pH, and UV titrations, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, showed that L8 and Zn2+ form a 1:1 complex [Zn(H-1L8)], in which the 8-OH group of the quinoline ring of L8 is deprotonated and coordinates to Zn2+, in aqueous solution at neutral pH. On addition of one equivalent of Zn2+ and Cd2+, the fluorescence emission of L8 (5 microM) at 512 nm in aqueous solution at pH 7.4 [10 mM HEPES with I=0.1 (NaNO3)] and 25 degrees C increased by factors of 17 and 43, respectively. We found that the cyclen moiety has the unique property of quenching the fluorescence emission of the quinolinol moiety when not complexed with metal cations, but enhancing emission when complexed with Zn2+ or Cd2+. In addition, the Zn2+-L8 complex [Zn(H-1L8)] is much more thermodynamically and kinetically stable (Kd{Zn(H-1L8)}=[Zn2+]free[L8]free/[Zn(H-1L8)]=8 fM at pH 7.4) than the Zn2+ complexes of our previous Zn2+ fluorophores ([Zn(H-1L2)] and [Zn(L3)]). Furthermore, formation of [Zn(H-1L8)] is much faster than those of [Zn(H-1L2)] and [Zn(L3)]. The staining of early-stage apoptotic cells with L8 is also described.     

Fluorescence and NMR binding studies of N-aryl-N'-(9-methylanthryl)diaza-18-crown-6 derivatives

N-Aryl-N'-(9-methylanthryl)diaza-18-crown-6 derivatives perform as fluorescent photoinduced electron-transfer (PET) sensors with very selective response toward Ca(2+) versus Mg(2+), Na(+), and K(+). The fluorescence intensity was increased by a factor of up to 170 in the presence of Ca(ClO(4))(2). (1)H NMR studies show that metal cations affect these molecules very differently: Ca(2+) has a global effect on each molecule, while Mg(2+) affects part of each molecule, and K(+) and Na(+) affect each molecule moderately, which is very consistent with the fluorescence response.     

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+.     

Fluorescent pH probes for alkaline pH range based on perylene tetra-(alkoxycarbonyl) derivatives

The pH detection in the alkaline range is particularly important in many fields such as leather processing, waste water treatment, paper industry, and metal mining and finishing. Compared with traditional analysis methods such as colorimetric sensors and electrochemical sensors, the fluorescence and colorimetric probes for pH measurements have attracted much more attention due to their advantages of high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, noninvasiveness, low cost, fast response time, the possibility of continuously measurement, etc. However, there are few fluorescent probes fiting for alkaline pH monitoring. Acturally, the design and synthesis of them were more significant for new probes producing. In this study, the design, synthesis, and practical application of two novel fluorescent pH probes for alkaline pH assay were discussed. Both of the two probes were derived from perylene tetra-(alkoxycarbonyl). The red or blue shift of the absorption/fluorescence spectrum was caused by the introduction of electron donor amino or oxygen ring in the bay region. Due to electronic separation of the OH group from the electron-withdrawing core, the probes have high pKa values and cover the pH range from 8 to 12. They exist in either fluorescent acid form or non-fluorescent basic form. It was investigated that the amino substituent at bay region had a higher pKa value than O-heterocyclic annulated perylene, which showed that the adjustable pKa value could be achieved by the modification of electron withdrawing groups. The probes would have a wide use for testing strips measurements and monitoring pH changes in concrete.     

2'-硼酸基苯甲醛-7-(8-羟基-5-磺酸基)喹啉腙衍生物的合成及对Pb2+的识别

合成了2', 3'和4'-硼酸基苯甲醛-7-(8-羟基-5-磺酸基)喹啉腙衍生物(化合物1~3), 研究了硼酸基团取代位置对主体分子识别金属离子客体性能的影响, 比较了不同主体分子与Pb2+结合能力的差异. 研究结果表明, 在pH=7.0的KH2PO4-NaOH缓冲溶液中, 3种腙衍生物对Pb2+均具有选择性识别作用, 主客体分子间形成1∶1型的发光配合物. 其中邻位取代的化合物1与Pb2+的结合能力比化合物2和3强, 配合物1-Pb2+的最大发射波长为477 nm, 稳定常数为1.1×103 L/mol. 其它金属离子如Cu2+, Mn2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Ca2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Hg2+, Cd2+和Ag+ 等对主体分子荧光光谱的影响较小. 同时, 荧光强度的变化值与Pb2+浓度在0.36~10 μmol/L范围内呈现良好的线性关系, 相关系数R=0.9976(n=16), 检出限为0.23 μmol/L. 将此方法用于环境水样中Pb2+的测定, 回收率为92%~108%.     

Influence of micellar media on the fluorescence of various benzo- and methyl-quinolizinium salts

The bebaviour of several different micelar systems (anionic, cationic and non-ionic) on the fluorescence of quinolizinium salts is studied. Important factors, such as pH and ionic strength that influence fluorescence parameters, are discussed. Fourteen quinolizinium salts (benzo and methyl derivatives) are examined as fluorescent probes in micellar media. All of them showed a marked increase of fluorescence intensity when sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions of critical micelle concentration (CMC) are added. The presence of non-ionic surfactants did not change the fluorescent emission of the probes. The emission intensity is much decreased when N-cetyl-N,N,N- trimethylammonium bromide concentrations are above the CMC. Changes in pH ido not significantly affect the fluorescence intensity of the benzo derivatives. Increasing the ionic strength decreases the fluorescence. For 9-cyanobenzo[a]phenanthro [9,10-g] quinolizinium chloride, the spectrum changes when the surfactant concentration is high than the CMC thereforre this compound is considered to be a good fluorescent probe in icell     

Ratiometric, fluorescent BODIPY dye with aza crown ether functionality: synthesis, solvatochromism, and metal ion complex formation

A new pH and metal ion-responsive BODIPY-based fluorescent probe with an aza crown ether subunit has been synthesized via condensation of 4-(1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13-aza-cyclopentadec-13-yl)-benzaldehyde with the appropriate 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl substituted boron dipyrromethene moiety. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorometries have been used to study the spectroscopic and photophysical characteristics of this probe in various solvents. The fluorescence properties of the dye are strongly solvent dependent: increasing the solvent polarity leads to lower fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes, and the wavelength of maximum fluorescence emission shifts to the red. The Catalan solvent scales are found to be the most suitable for describing the solvatochromic shifts of the fluorescence emission. Fluorescence decay profiles of the dye can be described by a single-exponential fit in nonprotic solvents, whereas two decay times are found in alcohols. Protonation as well as complex formation with several metal ions are investigated in acetonitrile as solvent via fluorometric titrations. The aza crown ether dye undergoes a reversible (de)protonation reaction (pKa = 0.09) and shows a approximately 50 nm blue shift in the excitation spectra and a 10-fold fluorescence increase upon protonation. The compound also forms 1:1 complexes with several metal ions (Li(+), Na(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Ba(2+), Zn(2+)), producing large blue shifts in the excitation spectra and significant cation-induced fluorescence amplifications.     

铝,镁,锌—氟哌酸配合物的荧光特性及其脂溶性研究

探讨了介质ＰＨ值及Ａｌ＾３－，Ｍｇ＾２＋，Ｚｎ＾２＋离子对喹诺酮类药物氟哌酸荧光特性的影响。发现铝，镁及锌离子在不同ＰＨ值条件下与氟哌酸形成配合物而增强荧光，据此建立了用铝离子增强荧光测定氟哌酸含量的新方法。     

不同形态的氧氟沙星在凹凸棒土上的吸附特征

通过控制反应体系的pH值,探究了阳离子、兼性和阴离子形态的氧氟沙星(OFL,3种形态分别记为OFL~+,OFL~±和OFL~-)在凹凸棒土(ATP)上的吸附特征.实验结果表明,OFL~+主要通过与ATP表面的Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)进行阳离子交换吸附于ATP上,当其吸附量较高时,会存在少量的氢键;OFL~±和OFL~-可与ATP表面的铁氧化物、铝氧化物进行表面络合,也可与溶液中从ATP中溶解出的Ca~(2+)和Mg~(2+)形成络合物,再通过静电作用吸附于ATP上.在中性至微碱性(pH=7.10~7.70)条件下,由于Ca的电负性小于Mg,[Ca~(2+)-OFL]+不能稳定地存在于溶液中,使得OFL±与Ca~(2+)进行阳离子交换而与Mg~(2+)形成络合物,再通过静电作用吸附于ATP上.当OFL主要以OFL~-形态存在于溶液中时(p H=9.00~10.00),Ca~(2+)和Mg~(2+)均可与OFL~-形成络合物,再通过静电作用吸附于ATP上.     

基于N-(9-蒽甲基)-L-组氨酸的NOR荧光逻辑门

合成了一个新的组氨酸衍生物, N-(9-蒽甲基)-L-组氨酸(1), 并对其进行了元素分析、电喷雾电离质谱(ESI-MS)、核磁共振氢谱(1H-NMR)和碳谱(13C-NMR)等波谱表征. 考查了pH值及15种不同金属离子对其荧光强度的影响. 实验结果表明, 中性水溶液条件下, Zn2+和Cd2+能使体系荧光增强, 而Pb2+、Co2+、Hg2+、Ni2+和Cu2+等则使体系荧光有不同程度的猝灭.其中, Cu2+和Ni2+猝灭能力最强, 它们与化合物1均形成了物质的量比为1:2的配合物, 络合常数分别为2.88×10⁶和1.12×10⁶ L2·mol-2. Cu2+和Ni2+对化合物1的荧光猝灭为静态猝灭过程. 在此基础上, 以Cu2+和Ni2+作为两个输入信号, 以蒽的特征荧光发射作为输出信号, 构建了一个NOR荧光分子逻辑门.     

Changes in surface charge density of lecithin liposomes by lipid peroxidation. A fluorescence study with 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate.

Treatment of lecithin liposomes with 100 microM ascorbic acid and 10 microM ferrous ion resulted in the formation of fluorescent products exhibiting an emission maximum at 430 nm and a decrease in the fluorescence intensity of 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) bound to the liposomes without change in the emission maximum. The degree of ascorbic acid/Fe(2+)-induced decrease in the ANS fluorescence was dependent on the extent of fluorescent product formation. The results of kinetic studies on ANS-binding to the liposomes showed that treatment of the liposomes with ascorbic acid/Fe2+ causes an increase of the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of ANS-liposome complex. This indicates that lipid peroxidation of the liposomes by treatment with ascorbic acid/Fe2+ decreases the binding affinity of ANS to the liposomes. In addition, it was also found that there is a good correlation between degrees of the Kd value and the formation of fluorescent products. The fluorescence properties, i.e. emission maximum and response of the fluorescence intensity for borohydride reduction, of the products formed by lipid peroxidation of the liposomes were similar to those derived from modification of the liposomes with monofunctional aldehydes such as acetaldehyde and heptaldehyde. From these results, it is suggested that the decrease of ANS-binding affinity to the liposomes by treatment with ascorbic acid/Fe2+ may be due to changes in the surface charge density of the liposomes relating to the formation of fluorescent products.