Conformational Transitions of the Catalytic Domain of Heme-Regulated Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α Kinase, a Key Translational Regulatory Molecule

In mammalian cells, the heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI) plays a critical role in the regulation of protein synthesis at the initiation step through phosphorylation of α-subunit of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). In this study we have cloned and performed biophysical characterization of the kinase catalytic domain (KD) of rabbit HRI. The KD described here comprises kinase 1, the kinase insertion domain (KI) and kinase 2. We report here the existence of an active and stable monomer of HRI (KD). The HRI (KD) containing three tryptophan residues was examined for its conformational transitions occurring under various denaturing conditions using steady-state and time-resolved tryptophan fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) and hydrophobic dye binding. The parameter A and phase diagram analysis revealed multi-state unfolding and existence of three stable intermediates during guanidine hydrochloride (Gdn-HCl) induced unfolding of HRI (KD). The protein treated with 6 M Gdn-HCl showed collisional and static mechanism of acrylamide quenching and the constants (K _sv  = 3.08 M⁻¹and K _s   = 5.62 M⁻¹) were resolved using time resolved fluorescence titration. Based on pH, guanidine hydrochloride and temperature mediated transitions, HRI (KD) appears to exemplify a rigid molten globule-like intermediate with compact secondary structure, altered tertiary structure and exposed hydrophobic patches at pH 3.0. The results indicate the inherent structural stability of HRI (KD), a member of the class of stress response proteins.     

Fluorescent Carbon Dots Capped with PEG<Subscript>200</Subscript> and Mercaptosuccinic Acid

The synthesis and functionalization of carbon nanoparticles with PEG₂₀₀ and mercaptosuccinic acid, rendering fluorescent carbon dots, is described. Fluorescent carbon dots (maximum excitation and emission at 320 and 430 nm, respectively) with average dimension 267 nm were obtained. The lifetime decay of the functionalized carbon dots is complex and a three component decay time model originated a good fit with the following lifetimes: τ ₁ = 2.71 ns; τ ₂ = 7.36 ns; τ ₃ = 0.38 ns. The fluorescence intensity of the carbon dots is affected by the solvent, pH (apparent pK _a of 7.4 ± 0.2) and iodide (Stern-Volmer constant of 78 ± 2 M⁻¹).     

Fluorescent Properties of a Hybrid Cadmium Sulfide-Dendrimer Nanocomposite and its Quenching with Nitromethane

A fluorescent hybrid cadmium sulphide quantum dots (QDs) dendrimer nanocomposite (DAB-CdS) synthesised in water and stable in aqueous solution is described. The dendrimer, DAB-G5 dendrimer (polypropylenimine tetrahexacontaamine) generation 5, a diaminobutene core with 64 amine terminal primary groups. The maximum of the excitation and emission spectra, Stokes’ shift and the emission full width of half maximum of this nanocomposite are, respectively: 351, 535, 204 and 212 nm. The fluorescence time decay was complex and a four component decay time model originated a good fit (χ = 1.20) with the following lifetimes: τ ₁ = 657 ps; τ ₂ = 10.0 ns; τ ₃ = 59.42 ns; and τ ₄ = 265 ns. The fluorescence intensity of the nanocomposite is markedly quenched by the presence of nitromethane with a dynamic Stern-Volmer constant of 25 M⁻¹. The quenching profiles show that about 81% of the CdS QDs are located in the external layer of the dendrimer accessible to the quencher. PARAFAC analysis of the excitation emission matrices (EEM) acquired as function of the nitromethane concentration showed a trilinear data structure with only one linearly independent component describing the quenching which allows robust estimation of the excitation and emission spectra and of the quenching profiles. This water soluble and fluorescent nanocomposite shows a set of favourable properties to its use in sensor applications.     

Fluorescence Quenching and Time-resolved Fluorescence studies of α-Mannosidase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus fischeri</Emphasis> (NCIM 508)

Apart from the vital role in glycoprotein biosynthesis and degradation, α-mannosidase is currently an important therapeutic target for the development of anticancer agents. Fluorescence quenching and time-resolved fluorescence of α-mannosidase, a multitryptophan protein from Aspergillus fischeri were carried out to investigate the tryptophan environment. The tryptophans were found to be differentially exposed to the solvent and were not fully accessible to the neutral quencher indicating heterogeneity in the environment. Quenching of the fluorescence by acrylamide was collisional. Surface tryptophans were found to have predominantly positively charged amino acids around them and differentially accessible to the ionic quenchers. Denaturation led to more exposure of tryptophans to the solvent and consequently in the significant increase in quenching with all the quenchers. The native enzyme showed two different lifetimes, τ ₁ (1.51 ns) and τ ₂ (5.99 ns). The average lifetime of the native protein (τ) (3.187 ns) was not affected much after denaturation (τ) (3.219 ns), while average lifetime of the quenched protein samples was drastically reduced (1.995 ns for acrylamide and 1.537 ns for iodide). This is an attempt towards the conformational studies of α-mannosidase.     

A Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Hg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-Selective Anthracene-Based Fluorescent PET Sensor with Tridentate Ionophore of Amide/β-Amino Alcohol

A new anthracene-based fluorescent PET sensor 1 with a tridentate ionophore of amide/β-amino alcohol displays very good selectivity and sensitivity for Fe³⁺ (K _a = 1.6 × 10³ M⁻¹) and Hg²⁺ (K _a = 2.1 × 10³ M⁻¹) in CH₃CN–H₂O (3:7, v/v) with detection limit of 1 μM. More fluorescence enhancement was observed when 1 selectively detected Fe³⁺ or Hg²⁺ in CH₃CN and its detection limit was up to 0.03 μM.     

Determinations of Uranium(VI) Binding Properties with some Metalloproteins (Transferrin,Albumin, Metallothionein and Ferritin) by Fluorescence Quenching

The interactions between uranium and four metalloproteins (Apo-HTf, HSA, MT and Apo-EqSF) were investigated using fluorescence quenching measurements. The combined use of a microplate spectrofluorometer and logarithmic additions of uranium into protein solutions allowed us to define the fluorescence quenching over a wide range of [U]/[Pi] ratios (from 0.05 to 1150) at physiologically relevant conditions of pH. Results showed that fluorescence from the four metalloproteins was quenched by UO₂²⁺. Stoichiometry reactions, fluorescence quenching mechanisms and complexing properties of metalloproteins, i.e. binding constants and binding sites densities, were determined using classic fluorescence quenching methods and curve-fitting software (PROSECE). It was demonstrated that in our test conditions, the metalloprotein complexation by uranium could be simulated by two specific sites (L₁ and L₂). Results showed that the U(VI)–Apo-HTf complexation constant values (log K₁ = 7.7, log K₂ = 4.6) were slightly higher than those observed for U(VI)–HSA complex (log K₁ = 6.1, log K₂ = 4.8), U(VI)–MT complex (log K₁ = 6.5, log K₂ = 5.6) and U(VI)–Apo-EqsF complex (log K₁ = 5.3, log K₂ = 3.9). PROSECE fitting studies also showed that the complexing capacities of each protein were different: 550 moles of U(VI) are complexed by Apo-EqSF while only 28, 10 and 5 moles of U(VI) are complexed by Apo-HTf, HSA and MT, respectively.     

Biophysical Studies on the Interactions of a Classic Mitochondrial Uncoupler with Bovine Serum Albumin by Spectroscopic,Isothermal Titration Calorimetric and Molecular Modeling Methods

The interaction between a classic uncoupler (2,4-dinitrophenol, DNP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy under the physiological conditions. The fluorescence quenching constants were calculated by the Stern-Volmer equation, and based upon the temperature dependence of quenching constants, it was proved that DNP caused a static quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA. Owing to the static quenching mechanism, different associative binding constants at various temperatures were determined and thus the thermodynamic parameters, namely enthalpy (ΔH = −21.12 kJ mol⁻¹) and entropy changes (ΔS = 23.51 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹) could be calculated based on the binding constants. Moreover, the enthalpy and entropy changes are consistent with the “Enthalpy-Entropy Compensation” equation obtained from our previous work. The negative enthalpy and positive entropy indicated that the electrostatic interactions played a major role in DNP-BSA binding process. Site marker competitive displacement experiments were carried out by using fluorescence and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) methods. These results showed that DNP bound with high affinity to Sudlow’s site I (subdomain IIA) of BSA. The distance (r = 3.78 nm) between donor (BSA) and acceptor (DNP) was obtained according to the mechanism of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Furthermore, the results of synchronous fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic studies indicated that the microenvironment and the secondary conformation of BSA were altered. The above results were supported by theoretical molecular modeling methods.     

Reductive Fluorescence Quenching of the Photoexcited Free Base <Emphasis Type="Italic">meso</Emphasis>-Tetrakis (Pentafluorophenyl) Porphyrin by Amines

Steady state and time resolved fluorescence quenching behaviors of meso-Tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin (H₂F₂₀TPP) in presence of different aliphatic and aromatic amines have been executed in homogeneous dichloromethane (DCM) solution. At room temperature in DCM, free base (H₂F₂₀TPP) shows fluorescence with two distinct peaks at 640 and 711 nm and natural lifetime τ _f = 9.8 ns which are very similar to that of meso-tetraphenyl porphyrin (TPP). Unlike TPP, addition of both aliphatic and aromatic amines to a solution containing H₂F₂₀TPP results in an efficient decrease in fluorescence intensity without altering the shape and peak position of fluorescence emission. Upon addition of amines there was no change in optical absorption spectra of H₂F₂₀TPP. The fluorescence quenching rate constants ranged from 1 × 10⁹ to 4 × 10⁹ s⁻¹, which are one order below to the diffusion control limit, and temperature dependent quenching rate constants yield the activation energies which are found to be order of 0.1 eV. Femto second transient absorption studies reveal the existence of amine cation radical and porphyrin anion radicals with very short decay time (15 ps). The fluorescence quenching reaction follows Stern–Volmer kinetics. Steady state and time-resolved data are interpreted within general kinetic scheme of Marcus semi-classical model which attributes bimolecular electron transfer process between amines and the lowest excited singlet state of H₂F₂₀TPP. Calculated internal reorganization energies are found to be in between 0.04 and 0.22 ev. Variation of electron transfer rate as function of free energy change (∆G⁰) points the ET reactions in the present systems are in Marcus normal region. This is the first example of reductive fluorescence quenching of free base neutral porphyrins in homogeneous organic solvent ever known.     

Temperature-dependent Time-resolved Fluorescence Study of Cinchonine Alkaloid Dication

Photo induced excited state dynamical processes of cinchonine alkaloid dication (C⁺⁺) have been studied over a wide range of temperature using steady state and nanosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The temperature-dependent fluorescence studies of C⁺⁺ clearly indicate the existence of two distinct emitting species having their own characteristic decay rates. The shorter-lived species shows a usual temperature dependence with increasing non-radiative deactivation at higher temperatures, while the longer-lived species show features resembling to the excited state solvent relaxation process with a large solvent relaxation time (τ _r ∼ 6 ns). The species emitting in the lower energy side, having longer decay time is found to be more sensitive towards chloride ion quenching and has a charge transfer character. Further, concentration quenching with decrease in τ _r of long lived species shows the possibility of energy migration along with solvent relaxation in C⁺⁺.     

Interaction of Thyroxine with 7 Hydroxycoumarin: A Fluorescence Quenching Study

The interaction between thyroxine hormone and 7 hydroxycoumarin (7HC) was investigated using fluorescence quenching method. The experimental results showed that thyroxine could quench the fluorescence of 7HC by forming the 7HC–thyroxine complex with static quenching. The apparent binding constants (K) between 7HC and thyroxine were determined to be 1.51 × 10⁴ (297 K) and 9.06 × 10³ (310 K). The binding sites (n) 0.98 ± 0.1. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the interaction between 7HC and thyroxine was driven mainly by hydrogen bonding interactions and van der Waals force. Calibration for thyroxine, based on quenching titration data, was linear in the concentration range 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 3.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol/l. The relative standard deviation was 2.58% for 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol/l thyroxine (n = 4) and the 3σ limit of detection was 3.42 × 10⁻⁸ mol/l in cationic surfactant CTAB medium.     

1H NMR relaxation investigation of herbicides interacting with photosystem II preparations fromSpinacia oleracea L.

The interaction of three common herbicides, paraquat, acifluorfen and alachlor, with spinach chloroplast photosystem II (PS II) was investigated by measuring¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spin-lattice relaxation rates, transient nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) and NOE spectroscopy (NOESY) spectra. Binding to PS II was detected by (i) the enhancement of single-selective relaxation rates and (ii) the decrease in the optimal mixing time providing maximal cross-peak intensity in NOESY spectra. Titration of relaxation enhancements was used to calculate the dissociation constants (K _d) from the bound state for paraquat (K _d = 292 ± 71 μM⁻¹) and acifluorfen (K _d = 311 ± 58 μM⁻¹). A similarK _d was apparent for alachlor. Double-selective relaxation rates allowed the isolation of dipolar relaxation terms between selected proton pairs wherefrom dynamic features of the bound state were evaluated. In all cases the motional correlation time of bound herbicide (τ_c = 0.1−0.4 ns at 300 K) was found two orders of magnitude slower than in the free-solution state. In the case of alachlor the E and Z isomers were observed to bind differently to PS II and a change in conformation could be hypothesized.     

Binding of Quercetin to Lysozyme as Probed by Spectroscopic Analysis and Molecular Simulation

The binding of quercetin to lysozyme (LYSO) in aqueous solution was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and molecular simulation at pH 7.4. The fluorescence quenching of LYSO by addition of quercetin is due to static quenching, the binding constants, K _a , were 3.63 × 10⁴, 3.31 × 10⁴ and 2.85 × 10⁴ L·mol⁻¹ at 288, 298 and 308 K, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy change, ∆H, and entropy change, ∆S, were noted to be −7.56 kJ·mol⁻¹ and 61.07 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹. The results indicated that hydrophobic interaction may play a major role in the binding process. The distance r between the donor (LYSO) and acceptor (quercetin) was determined as 3.34 nm by the fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy showed the polarity around the tryptophan residues increased and the hydrophobicity decreased. Furthermore, the study of molecular simulation indicated that quercetin could bind to the active site (a pocket made up of 24 amino-acid residues) of LYSO mainly via hydrophobic interactions and that there were hydrogen interactions between the residues (Gln 57, Ile 98) of LYSO and quercetin. The accessible surface area (ASA) calculation verified the important roles of tryptophan (Trp) residues during the binding process.     

Interaction of ethidium bromide and caffeine with DNA in aqueous solution

Two component (ethidium bromide–caffeine, ethidium bromide–DNA) and three component (ethidium bromide–caffeine–DNA) systems in aqueous saline (0.01 M NaCl) phosphate buffer solutions (pH 6.86, T = 298 K) are studied spectrophotometrically. The equilibrium constants for dimerization of caffeine, K _D  = 1.22 ± 2 M⁻¹, and for heteroassociation of ethidium bromide with caffeine, K = 71 ± 8 M⁻¹, in ethidium bromide–caffeine systems are determined. When the concentration of caffeine is increased, the dynamic equilibrium of the solution shifts toward formation of heterocomplexes which are, presumably, stabilized by dispersive and hydrophobic interactions of chromophores. The equilibrium parameters for ethidium bromide complex formation with DNA are calculated: the coupling constant for the dye with the biopolymer, K ₁ = (232 ± 16)⋅103 M⁻¹, and the number of base pairs of the biopolymer participating in bonding with the ligand, n ₁ = 3.6 ± 0.2, are calculated. Given these values, it is suggested that under these experimental conditions there are two types of bonding between ethidium bromide and the nucleic acid — intercalation and “external” bonds. A McGhee–von Hippel model for a three component system and the numerical values of the parameters for molecular complex formation in two component systems are used to calculate the bonding constant for caffeine with DNA, K ₂ = 127 ± 30 M⁻¹, and the number of base pairs of DNA which bond with caffeine, n ₂ = 1.7 ± 0.2. The concentrations of ethidium bromide and caffeine in the composition of two and three component complexes are calculated as functions of the nucleic acid content in the solution. An analysis of the concentration dependences shows that heteroassociation of ligands has a significant effect on the reduction in the concentration of ethidium bromide–DNA complexes in a three component system for low DNA concentrations, while at high DNA concentrations the bonding of caffeine with the biopolymer has this effect. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 76, No. 1, pp. 143–151, January–February 2009.     

Acidichromism and Ionochromism of Luteolin and Apigenin,the Main Components of the Naturally Occurring Yellow Weld: A Spectrophotometric and Fluorimetric Study

Luteolin and apigenin, extracted from Reseda luteola L., were spectrophotometrically and fluorimetrically studied. The spectra were investigated as a function of pH in methanol/water solutions (1/2, v/v) in the 2–12 pH range. The absorption spectra markedly shifted to the red by increasing the pH. Three acid–base dissociation steps were detected for luteolin (pK _a = 6.9; 8.6; 10.3) and two for apigenin (pK _a = 6.6; 9.3). Fluorescence emission was very weak or undetectable (Φ _F < 10⁻⁴) in acidic solution, but increased in intensity with increasing the pH. Both molecules exhibited a great propensity towards complex formation with metal ions, with association constants on the order of 10⁵–10⁷ for the first complexation step; in the presence of excess Al³⁺ ions, multiple equilibria were detected. A marked fluorescence enhancement was observed upon complexation with Al³⁺ ions (Φ _F ∼ 1 for luteolin and ∼10⁻² for apigenin).     

New Fluorescent Antitumour Cisplatin Analogue Complexes. Study of the Characteristics of their Binding to DNA by Flow Injection Analysis

The flow injection technique is applied to study the binding to DNA of new platinum complexes—E₁: ethylenediaminechlorocholylglycinateplatinum(II): [PtCl(CG)(en)], C₅₄H₉₂O₁₂Pt and E₂: ethylenediaminebischolylglycinateplatinum(II): [Pt(CG)₂(en)], C₂₈H₅₀ClN₃O₆Pt—derived from cisplatin in which the exchangeable ligands were replaced by bile acids, such that these anticancer drugs have less toxicity and less resistance is developed towards them. Both compounds are fluorescent and their fluorescence is enhanced when they form adducts with DNA, a property that is extremely useful for monitoring the cytotoxic activity and their mechanisms of action. The binding parameters to DNA of E₁ [apparent intrinsic binding constant K_E1: (11.2 ± 0.4) × 10³ M⁻¹ and maximum number of binding sites per nucleotide, n _E1: 0.121 ± 2 × 10⁻³) and E₂ (K_E2: 9.2 ± 0.7) × 10³ M⁻¹ and n _E2 0.098 ± 2 × 10⁻³] were determined following the Scatchard method and the type of binding was studied experimentally through the modifications introduced by each of the compounds into the ethidium bromide–DNA bond.     

Synthesis, Characterization, DNA-Binding Properties of the Ln(III) Complexes with 6-Hydroxy Chromone-3-Carbaldehyde-(4′-Hydroxy) Benzoyl Hydrazone

6-Hydroxy chromone-3-carbaldehyde-(4′-hydroxy) benzoyl hydrazone (L) and its Ln (III) complexes, [Ln = La, Nd, Eu and Tb] have been prepared and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, molar conductivities, mass spectra, ¹H NMR, thermogravimety/differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), UV-vis spectra, fluorescence spectra and IR spectra. The formula of the complex is [Ln L·(NO₃)₂]·NO₃. Spectrometric titration, ethidium bromide displacement experiments and viscosity measurements indicate that Eu (III) complex bind with calf-thymus DNA, presumably via an intercalation mechanism. The intrinsic binding constant of Eu (III) with DNA was 2.48 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ through fluorescence titration data.     

Synthesis, Characterization, DNA-Binding and Antiproliferative Activity of Nd(III) Complexes With N-(Nitrogen Heterocyclic) Norcantharidin Acylamide Acid

Three novel complexes [Nd(L)(NO₃)(H₂O)₂]·NO₃·2H₂O (HL¹ = N-pyrimidine norcantharidin acylamide acid, C₁₂H₁₃N₃O₄; HL² = N-pyridine norcantharidin acylamide acid, C₁₃H₁₄N₂O₄; HL³ = N-phenyl norcantharidin acylamide acid, C₁₄H₁₅NO₄) were synthesized. HL¹, HL² and HL³ are the ligand of complex(1), complex(2) and complex(3), respectively. Their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurement, infrared spectra and thermogravimetric analysis. The DNA-binding properties of the complexes have been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that the complexes can bind to DNA by partial intercalation. The liner Stern-Volmer quenching constant K_sq values are 3.3(±0.21)(1), 1.7(±0.19)(2) and 0.9(±0.04)(3), respectively. Complex (1) and (2) have been found to cleave pBR322 plasmid DNA at physiological pH and temperature. The test of antiproliferation activity indicates that complex(1) has strong antiproliferative ability against the SMMC7721 (IC₅₀ = 131.7 ± 23.4 μmol·L⁻¹) and A549 (IC₅₀ = 128.4 ± 19.9 μmol·L⁻¹) cell lines. The inhibition rates of complex(2) (IC₅₀ = 86.3 ± 11.3 μmol·L⁻¹) are much higher than that of NCTD (IC₅₀ = 115.5 ± 9.5 μmol·L⁻¹) and HL² (111.0 ± 5.7 μmol·L⁻¹) against SMMC7721 cell lines.     

Spectrofluorimetric Study and Detection of Ketoconazole in the Presence of β-cyclodextrin

The formation of a complex between ketoconazole and β-cyclodextrin was followed by spectrofluorimety. The inclusion of ketoconazole in β-cyclodextrin cavity enhanced the native fluorescence of the drug. The stoichiometry of the complex was 1:1 β-cyclodextrin to ketoconazole and the stability constant of the complex (log K _f) was determined to be 4.3 ± 0.01 at pH = 7.9 and 3.7 ± 0.04 at pH = 2.6. A sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the detection of ketoconazole is presented. At optimized experimental conditions, a linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity of the solution and concentration of ketoconazole is observed in the range of 0.01–10 μg ml⁻¹ (5 × 10⁻⁸ M–1.88 × 10⁻⁵ M). The method was applied to the detection of ketoconazole in pharmaceutical products and the results were satisfactory in comparison to the official method (relative error = 2.8% and standard deviation = 0.06 for tablets of ketoconazole). The recovery of ketoconazole from a blood serum sample, determined by the proposed method, was 97.1 ± 2.4%.     

A Study of the Interaction Between Malachite Green and Lysozyme by Steady-State Fluorescence

The interaction of a N-methylated diaminotriphenylmethane dye, malachite green, with lysozyme was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopic techniques under physiological conditions. The binding parameters have been evaluated by fluorescence quenching methods. The results revealed that malachite green caused the fluorescence quenching of lysozyme through a static quenching procedure. The thermodynamic parameters like ΔH and ΔS were calculated to be −15.33 kJ mol⁻¹ and 19.47 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ according to van’t Hoff equation, respectively, which proves main interaction between malachite green and lysozyme is hydrophobic forces and hydrogen bond contact. The distance r between donor (lysozyme) and acceptor (malachite green) was obtained to be 3.82 nm according to Fӧrster’s theory. The results of synchronous fluorescence, UV/vis and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra showed that binding of malachite green with lysozyme can induce conformational changes in lysozyme. In addition, the effects of common ions on the constants of lysozyme-malachite green complex were also discussed.     

PARAFAC Analysis of the Quenching of EEM of Fluorescence of Glutathione Capped CdTe Quantum Dots by Pb(II)

Glutathione capped CdTe quantum dots (QD) were synthesised using a simple experimental procedure and two samples were subjected of study (QD₅₅₀ and QD₆₀₀). The maximum of the excitation and emission spectra and the emission full width of half maximum of these two QD were: QD₅₅₀, 307, 550 and 37 nm; QD₆₀₀, 307, 600 and 39 nm. The steady state fluorescence properties of the two QD undergo variation when the pH of the aqueous solution is varied and are characterised by different apparent pKa: QD₅₅₀, 5.2 ± 0.1; QD₆₀₀, 6.3 ± 0.3. The fluorescence intensity of the QD₅₅₀ is markedly quenched by the presence of micromolar quantities of Pb(II) ion (Stern–Volmer constant of about 7 × 10⁵ M⁻¹). PARAFAC analysis of the excitation emission matrices (EEM) of QD₅₅₀ acquired as function of the Pb(II) ion showed that only one linearly independent component describes the quenching of the QD₅₅₀ by the Pb(II) ion allowing robust estimation of the excitation and emission spectra and of the quenching profiles.