A Fluorescence Sensor Array Based on Zinc(II)-Carboxyamidoquinolines: Toward Quantitative Detection of ATP**

The newly prepared fluorescent carboxyamidoquinolines ( 1 – 3 ) and their Zn(II) complexes ( Zn@1-Zn@3 ) were used to bind and sense various phosphate anions utilizing a relay mechanism, in which the Zn(II) ion migrates from the Zn@1-Zn@3 complexes to the phosphate, namely adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) and pyrophosphate (PPi), a process accompanied by a dramatic change in fluorescence. Zn@1-Zn@3 assemblies interact with adenine nucleotide phosphates while displaying an analyte-specific response. This process was investigated using UV-vis, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopy. It is shown that the different binding selectivity and the corresponding fluorescence response enable differentiation of adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5’-diphosphate (ADP), pyrophosphate (PPi), and phosphate (Pi). The cross-reactive nature of the carboxyamidoquinolines-Zn(II) sensors in conjunction with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was utilized in a simple fluorescence chemosensor array that allows for the identification of ATP, ADP, PPi, and Pi from 8 other anions including adenosine 5’-monophosphate (AMP) with 100 % correct classification. Furthermore, the support vector machine algorithm, a machine learning method, allowed for highly accurate quantitation of ATP in the range of 5–100 μM concentration in unknown samples with error <2.5 %.     

A supramolecular ON-OFF-ON fluorescence assay for selective recognition of GTP

With the objective of developing small molecule based receptors for nucleosides and nucleotides, interactions of a cyclic donor-acceptor conjugate 1 with adenosine, AMP, ADP, CTP, UTP, ITP, ATP, and GTP have been investigated by absorption, steady-state, and time-resolved fluorescence, cyclic voltammetry (CV), NMR, and fluorescence indicator displacement techniques. Titration of 1 with the fluorescent indicator, 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrene trisulfonate (HPTS), resulted in nearly complete fluorescence quenching of HPTS, along with 25% hypochromicity in its absorption spectrum. Benesi-Hildebrand analysis gave a 1:1 stoichiometry for the complex between the receptor 1 and HPTS with an association constant (Kass) of 4.66 x 104 M-1 in buffer. The driving force for such a complexation was evaluated to be the synergistic effects of pi-stacking and electrostatic interactions inside the cavity as confirmed by the effect of ionic strength, temperature, and the negative results obtained with the model compound 2. Titration of the nonfluorescent complex [1.HPTS] with various nucleosides and nucleotides resulted in revival of fluorescence of the indicator, HPTS. It was observed that GTP induces maximum displacement of HPTS from the complex [1.HPTS] with an overall fluorescence enhancement of ca. 150-fold. The addition of adenosine, AMP, ADP, CTP, and UTP showed negligible changes, whereas ca. 45- and 50-fold enhancement was observed with ATP and ITP, respectively. The competitive displacement of the indicator by various analytes is found to be in the order GTP (buffer) approximately GTP (biofluid) > ITP approximately ATP > UTP > CTP approximately ADP approximately AMP approximately Ade. By virtue of having a better pi-electron cloud, GTP undergoes effective electronic, pi-stacking, and electrostatic interactions inside the cavity and forms a stable complex with the receptor 1. The uniqueness of this assay is that it differentiates GTP from ATP and other nucleotides and signals the event through a visual "turn on" fluorescence mechanism in buffer as well as in biological fluids.     

Stabilities and isomeric equilibria in aqueous solution of monomeric metal ion complexes of adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP3-) in comparison with those of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP2-)

Under experimental conditions in which the self-association of the adenine phosphates (AP), that is, of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP(2-)) and adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP(3-)), is negligible, potentiometric pH titrations were carried out to determine the stabilities of the M(H;AP) and M(AP) complexes where M(2+)=Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Ba(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), or Cd(2+) (25 degrees C; I=0.1 M, NaNO(3)). It is concluded that in the M(H;AMP)(+) species M(2+) is bound at the adenine moiety and in the M(H;ADP) complexes at the diphosphate unit; however, the proton resides in both types of monoprotonated complexes at the phosphate residue. The stabilities of nearly all the M(AMP) and M(ADP)(-) complexes are significantly larger than what is expected for a sole coordination of M(2+) to the phosphate residue. This increased complex stability is attributed, in agreement with previous (1)H NMR shift studies and further information existing in the literature, to the formation of macrochelates of the phosphate-coordinated metal ions with N7 of the adenine residues. On the basis of recent measurements with simple phosphate monoesters and phosphonate ligands (R-MP(2-)) as well as with diphosphate monoesters (R-DP(3-)), where R is a noncoordinating and noninhibiting residue, the increased stabilities of the M(AMP) and M(ADP)(-) complexes due to the M(2+)-N7 interaction could be evaluated and the extent of macrochelate formation calculated. The results show that the formation degrees of the macrochelates for the complexes of the alkaline earth ions are small (about 15 % at the most), whereas for the 3d metal ions as well as for Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) the formation degrees vary between about 15 % (Mn(2+)) and 75 % (Ni(2+)) with values of about 40 and 50 % for Zn(2+) and Cu(2+), respectively. It is interesting to note, taking earlier results for M(ATP)(2-) complexes also into account (ATP(4-)=adenosine 5'-triphosphate), that for a given metal ion in nearly all instances the formation degrees of the macrochelates are within the error limits the same for M(AMP), M(ADP)(-) and M(ATP)(2-) complexes; except for Co(2+) and Ni(2+) it holds M(AMP) > M(ADP)(-) approximately M(ATP)(2-). This result is astonishing if one considers that the absolute stability constants of these complexes, which are determined largely by the affinity of the phosphate residues, can differ by more than two orders of magnitude. The impact and conclusions of these observations for biological systems are shortly lined out.     

TSQ (6-methoxy-8-p-toluenesulfonamido-quinoline), a common fluorescent sensor for cellular zinc, images zinc proteins

Zn(2+) is a necessary cofactor for thousands of mammalian proteins. Research has suggested that transient fluxes of cellular Zn(2+) are also involved in processes such as apoptosis. Observations of Zn(2+) trafficking have been collected using Zn(2+) responsive fluorescent dyes. A commonly used Zn(2+) fluorophore is 6-methoxy-8-p-toluenesulfonamido-quinoline (TSQ). The chemical species responsible for TSQ's observed fluorescence in resting or activated cells have not been characterized. Parallel fluorescence microscopy and spectrofluorometry of LLC-PK(1) cells incubated with TSQ demonstrated punctate staining that concentrated around the nucleus and was characterized by an emission maximum near 470 nm. Addition of cell permeable Zn-pyrithione resulted in greatly increased, diffuse fluorescence that shifted the emission peak to 490 nm, indicative of the formation of Zn(TSQ)(2). TPEN (N,N,N'N'-tetrakis(-)[2-pyridylmethyl]-ethylenediamine), a cell permeant Zn(2+) chelator, largely quenched TSQ fluorescence returning the residual fluorescence to the 470 nm emission maximum. Gel filtration chromatography of cell supernatant from LLC-PK(1) cells treated with TSQ revealed that TSQ fluorescence (470 nm emission) eluted with the proteome fractions. Similarly, addition of TSQ to proteome prior to chromatography resulted in 470 nm fluorescence emission that was not observed in smaller molecular weight fractions. It is hypothesized that Zn-TSQ fluorescence, blue-shifted from the 490 nm emission maximum of Zn(TSQ)(2), results from ternary complex, TSQ-Zn-protein formation. As an example, Zn-carbonic anhydrase formed a ternary adduct with TSQ characterized by a fluorescence emission maximum of 470 nm and a dissociation constant of 1.55 × 10(-7) M. Quantification of TSQ-Zn-proteome fluorescence indicated that approximately 8% of cellular Zn(2+) was imaged by TSQ. These results were generalized to other cell types and model Zn-proteins.     

Rapid determination of creatine, phosphocreatine, purine bases and nucleotides (ATP, ADP, AMP, GTP, GDP) in heart biopsies by gradient ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography.

A simple binary solvent method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of creatine (Cr), phosphocreatine (PCr), ATP, ADP, AMP, GTP, GDP, IMP, NAD, inosine, adenosine, hypoxanthine and xanthine. This allows separation of the most important nucleotides present in myocardial biopsies as, for example, in studies using 31P NMR spectroscopy. In NMR spectra ATP and PCr are the only visible high-energy phosphates, therefore the status of other nucleotides and bases cannot be determined. The nucleotides, AMP degradation products, PCr and Cr in pig and rat heart muscle were resolved with 35 mM K2HPO4, 6 mM tetrabutylammonium hydrogensulfate buffer, pH 6.0, and a binary acetonitrile gradient on medium-bore, 250 mm or 125 mm x 3.9-4.6 mm I.D. steel octadecyl-bonded (C18) columns at a flow-rate of 1.5 or 1.0 ml/min. This method, optimized for use with older high-performance liquid chromatography pumps (100 microliters displacement heads), resolves the major porcine and rat myocardial nucleotides and degradation products within 22 min. The amounts found in normoxic porcine muscle are: Cr 9.21 +/- 0.75; hypoxanthine 1.40 +/- 0.14; PCr 7.20 +/- 1.2; IMP 1.34 +/- 0.13; beta NAD 1.82 +/- 0.23; AMP 0.10 +/- 0.04; GDP 0.05 +/- 0.02; ADP 1.23 +/- 0.09; GTP 0.19 +/- 0.01; ATP 4.45 +/- 0.32 mumol/g wet weight. The method, incorporating adenosine tetraphosphate as an internal standard, allows the documentation of changes in both the high-energy phosphates and their degradation products in a single analysis of myocardial samples as small as 200 micrograms (wet weight).     

Zn(II) complex of terpyridine for the highly selective fluorescent recognition of pyrophosphate

Pyrophosphate ion (PPi) is crucial in varieties of biological processes and industrial applications, and thus it is very important how to recognize it with high selectivity. In this contribution, one terpyridine (tpy)-based fluorescent molecule, 4-(methylphenyl)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (mptpy), has been reported to display a highly selective recognition for PPi in the presence of Zn(II). After exposure toward the Zn(II) ion, the characteristic emission of mptpy at 376 nm red-shifted to 406 nm with a strong enhancement upon an excitation at 280 nm, and then blue-shifted to 388 nm with the further addition of PPi. Absorption and fluorescence measurements showed that other phosphates including phosphate (Pi) as well as nucleotide triphosphates could not induce the spectral changes similar to PPi, demonstrating the unique binding effect between mptpy-Zn(II) and PPi. This process could also discriminate PPi from other inorganic anions. Therefore, a tpy-based fluorescence method for the highly selective recognition of PPi could be developed.     

Fluorescence enhancement of terbium(III) by nucleotides and polyhomonucleotides in the presence of phenanthroline

Summary The fluorescence enhancement of terbium(III) by nucleotides (AMP, ADP, ATP, GMP, GDP, GTP) and polyhomonucleotides [poly(A), poly(G), poly(C), poly(U)] in the presence of phenanthroline (phen) was studied. Investigation of the composition of the terbium(III)/ANP(AMP, ADP, ATP)/phen complexes and conditions of optimization suggest a 1:2 molar ratio of terbium(III) and phen for the ternary complexes. The results showed that the presence of phen enhanced the net fluorescence of terbium(III)/ANP, poly(A), poly(C) or poly(U) from several fold to more than one-hundred fold, while it has little effect on the fluorescence of terbium(III)/GNP(GMP, GDP and GTP) or the poly(G) system. The possibility of spectrofluorimetric measurements of these compounds were studied under optimal conditions (pH 7.0 in tris-HCl buffer; E_x=298 nm, E_m=543.5 nm). The detection limits were 2.0×10^–7, 6.0×10^–7 and 1.0×10^–6 mol/l for AMP, ADP and ATP, respectively. The relative standard deviations (6 replicates) were within 2.0% in the middle of the linear range.     

Europium tetracycline as a luminescent probe for nucleoside phosphates and its application to the determination of kinase activity

The determination of enzyme activities and the screening of enzyme regulators is a major task in clinical chemistry and drug development. A broad variety of enzymatic reactions is associated with the consumption of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), including, in particular, phosphorylation reactions catalyzed by kinases, formation of adenosine cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) by adenylate cyclases, and ATP decomposition by ATPase. We have studied the effect of a series of adenosine (ATP, ADP, AMP, cAMP) and guanosine (GTP, GDP) phosphoric esters, and of pyrophosphate (PP) on the fluorescence emission of the europium tetracycline (EuTC) complex. We found that these compounds have strongly different quenching effects on the luminescence emission of EuTC. The triphosphates ATP and GTP behave as strong quenchers in reducing the fluorescence intensity of EuTC to 25 % of its initial value by formation of a ternary 1:1:1 complex. All other phosphate esters showed a weak quenching effect only. The applicability of this fluorescent probe to the determination of the activity of phosphorylation enzymes is demonstrated by means of creatine kinase as a model for non-membrane-bound kinases. In contrast to other methods, this approach does not require the use of radioactively labeled ATP substrates, additional enzymes, or of rather complex immunoassays.     

Imino-phenolic-pyridyl conjugates of calix[4]arene (L1 and L2) as primary fluorescence switch-on sensors for Zn2+ in solution and in HeLa cells and the recognition of pyrophosphate and ATP by [ZnL2

Pyridyl-based triazole-linked calix[4]arene conjugates, viz. L(1) and L(2), were synthesized and characterized. These two conjugates were shown to be selective and sensitive for Zn(2+) among the 12 metal ions studied in HEPES buffer medium by fluorescence, absorption, and visual color change with the detection limit of ~31 and ~112 ppb, respectively, by L(1) and L(2). Moreover, the utility of the conjugates L(1) and L(2) in showing the zinc recognition in live cells has also been demonstrated using HeLa cells as monitored by fluorescence imaging. The zinc complexes of L(1) and L(2) were isolated, and the structure of [ZnL(1)] has been established by single-crystal XRD and that of [ZnL(2)] by DFT calculations. TDDFT calculations were performed in order to demonstrate the electronic properties of receptors and their zinc complexes. The isolated zinc complexes, viz. [ZnL(1)] and [ZnL(2)], have been used as molecular tools for the recognition of anions on the basis of their binding affinities toward Zn(2+). [ZnL(2)] was found to be sensitive and selective toward phosphate-bearing ions and molecules and in particular to pyrophosphate (PPi) and ATP among the other 18 anions studied; however, [ZnL(1)] was not sensitive toward any of the anions studied. The selectivity has been shown on the basis of the changes observed in the emission and absorption spectral studies through the removal of Zn(2+) from [ZnL(2)] by PPi. Thus, [ZnL(2)] has been shown to detect PPi up to 278 ± 10 ppb at pH 7.4 in aqueous methanolic (1/2 v/v) HEPES buffer.     

Tuning the reactivity in classic low-spin d6 rhenium(I) tricarbonyl radiopharmaceutical synthon by selective bidentate ligand variation (L,L'-Bid; L,L'= N,N', N,O, and O,O' donor atom sets) in fac-[Re(CO)3(L,L'-Bid)(MeOH)]n complexes

A range of fac-[Re(CO)(3)(L,L'-Bid)(H(2)O)](n) (L,L'-Bid = neutral or monoanionic bidentate ligands with varied L,L' donor atoms, N,N', N,O, or O,O': 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2'-bipydine, 2-picolinate, 2-quinolinate, 2,4-dipicolinate, 2,4-diquinolinate, tribromotropolonate, and hydroxyflavonate; n = 0, +1) has been synthesized and the aqua/methanol substitution has been investigated. The complexes were characterized by UV-vis, IR and NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic studies of the compounds fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Phen)(H(2)O)]NO(3)·0.5Phen, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(2,4-dQuinH)(H(2)O)]·H(2)O, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(2,4-dQuinH)Py]Py, and fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Flav)(CH(3)OH)]·CH(3)OH are reported. A four order-of-magnitude of activation for the methanol substitution is induced as manifested by the second order rate constants with (N,N'-Bid) < (N,O-Bid) < (O,O'-Bid). Forward and reverse rate and stability constants from slow and stopped-flow UV/vis measurements (k(1), M(-1) s(-1); k(-1), s(-1); K(1), M(-1)) for bromide anions as entering nucleophile are as follows: fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Phen)(MeOH)](+) (50 ± 3) × 10(-3), (5.9 ± 0.3) × 10(-4), 84 ± 7; fac-[Re(CO)(3)(2,4-dPicoH)(MeOH)] (15.7 ± 0.2) × 10(-3), (6.3 ± 0.8) × 10(-4), 25 ± 3; fac-[Re(CO)(3)(TropBr(3))(MeOH)] (7.06 ± 0.04) × 10(-2), (4 ± 1) × 10(-3), 18 ± 4; fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Flav)(MeOH)] 7.2 ± 0.3, 3.17 ± 0.09, 2.5 ± 2. Activation parameters (ΔH(k1)(++), kJmol(-1); ΔS(k1)(), J K(-1) mol(-1)) from Eyring plots for entering nucleophiles as indicated are as follows: fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Phen)(MeOH)](+) iodide 70 ± 1, -35 ± 3; fac-[Re(CO)(3)(2,4-dPico)(MeOH)] bromide 80.8 ± 6, -8 ± 2; fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Flav)(MeOH)] bromide 52 ± 5, -52 ± 15. A dissociative interchange mechanism is proposed.     

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescence sensing system for distinction between diphosphate and nucleoside triphosphates

Among the numerous chemosensors available for diphosphate (P(2)O(7)(4-), PPi) and nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs), only a few can distinguish between PPi and NTPs. Hence, very few bioanalytical applications based on such selective chemosensors have been realized. We have developed a new fluorescence sensing system for distinction between PPi and NTPs based on the combination of two sensors, a binuclear Zn(II) complex (1·2Zn) and boronic acid (BA), in which one chemosensor (1·2Zn) shows signal changes depending on the PPi (or NTP) concentration, and the other (BA) blocks the signal change caused by NTPs; this system enables the distinction of PPi from NTPs and is sensitive to nanomolar concentrations of PPi. The new sensing system has been successfully used for the direct quantification of RNA polymerase activity.     

Lanthanide/ATP interaction in water mediated by luminescent hemispherical-shaped complexes

Ligand LH(2), composed of two bipyridylcarboxylate fragments linked to an amino butyl chain, reacts with europium and terbium to form luminescent complexes in water at neutral pH. When testing these unsaturated complexes as anion sensors with NO(3)(-), HPO(4)(2)(-), AMP, ADP, and ATP, a marked selectivity is observed for HPO(4)(2)(-) and ATP(4)(-) at pH = 7.0. The interaction of these anions with the complex was investigated by means of absorption and emission spectroscopies. With ATP(4)(-), ES-MS and (31)P NMR experiments revealed the formation of a [Ln.L.(ATP)](3)(-) ternary species.     

Cation coordination induced modulation of the anion sensing properties of a ferrocene-imidazophenanthroline dyad: multichannel recognition from phosphate-related to chloride anions

A new chemosensor molecule 1 based on a ferrocene-imidazophenanthroline dyad, effectively recognizes aqueous hydrogenpyrophosphate and the organic anions ADP and ATP through three different channels. A cathodic shift of the ferrocene/ferrocenium oxidation wave (Delta E 1/2 ranging from -130 mV for hydrogenpyrophosphate and fluoride to -40 mV for ADP). A progressive red-shift of the absorption bands and/or appearance of a new low energy band at 314-319 nm. These changes in the absorption spectra are accompanied by color changes from pale yellow to orange or pink, which allow the potential for "naked eye" detection. The emission spectrum (lambda exc = 390 nm) undergoes an important chelation-enhanced fluorescence effect (CHEF = 50) in the presence of 2.5 equiv of hydrogenpyrophosphate anion and with a large excess of fluoride anion (CHEF = 114). Interestingly, the emission spectrum obtained at different excitation energy (lambda exc = 340 nm) in the presence of AcOH acid is red-shifted and not only perturbed by the hydrogenpyrophosphate anion (CHEF = 71) but also with the organic anions ATP (CHEF = 25), ADP (CHEF = 15), and the dihydrogenphosphate (CHEF = 25). The stable heterobimetallic ruthenium (II) complex 2 selectively senses the chloride anion over other anions examined through two channels: cathodic redox shift (Delta E 1/2 = -80 mV) of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple keeping the oxidation wave of the ruthenium (II) center unchanged and a significant red emission enhancement (CHEF = 30). (1)H and (31)P NMR studies as well as DFT calculations have been carried out to get information about which molecular sites are involved in bonding. About the deprotonation/coordination dualism, the combined electrochemical, absorption, emission, and NMR data strongly support that fluoride anion induces only deprotonation, anions dihydrogenphosphate, ATP, and ADP from hydrogen-bonded complexes and formation of hydrogen-bonded complex between receptor 1 and hydrogenpyrophosphate anion and deprotonation proceed simultaneously. In regards to receptor 2, all available data (electrochemical, absorption, emission, and 1H NMR) strongly support the formation of a [2. Cl ( - ) ] hydrogen-bonded complex.     

Two closely related iridium(III) complexes as colorimetric and fluorometric chemodosimeters for nitrite in aqueous solution operating along different modes of action

Two closely related dual-channel chemodosimeters for nitrite in buffered aqueous acetonitrile were developed using [(pq)(2)IrCl](2) (1) and [(ppy)(2)IrCl](2) (2). In the UV-vis channel, the addition of nitrite caused visibly distinct color changes with both probes as a result of sizable absorption intensity enhancements. In the photoluminescence channel, the probes behaved oppositely upon the addition of nitrite. The emission was increased with 1, while it was quenched with 2. NMR and X-ray studies indicated that structurally very different η(1)-nitrito-N and η(2)-nitrito-O,O' complexes were formed. Linear relationships for the quantification were obtained in both channels, allowing one to analyze for NO(2)(-) in a range from 5 × 10(-5) to 2 × 10(-2) M.     

Highly selective colorimetric sensing pyrophosphate in water by a NBD-phenoxo-bridged dinuclear Zn(II) complex

A novel NBD-phenoxo-bridged dinuclear Zn(II) complex is found to be an effective colorimetric sensor for pyrophosphate (PPi) in pure aqueous solution over a wide pH range. This sensor shows high binding affinity (K(a)≈ 3 × 10(8) M(-1)) and high selectivity for PPi, and can be also used to assay the activity of pyrophosphatase in real time.     

侧链含氨基的聚(对亚苯基亚乙炔基-对亚苯基-咔唑)三元共聚物的合成及其聚集态下荧光特性

通过Sonogashira偶联反应制备了含有4-[2-(对苯胺)乙烯基]苯(M1)、2,5-二戊烷氧基-1,4-二乙炔基苯(M2)和9-辛基咔唑(M3)3种结构单元的三元共轭聚合物PPEC,并通过核磁共振氢谱确定了3种结构单元的比例为0.54∶1.00∶0.46(M1∶M2∶M3).由于在PPEC的侧链中含有氨基基团,通过在PPEC的THF溶液中分别加入水、甲醇和正己烷,诱导其产生聚集,其聚集后的荧光性质表现出明显的不同,在THF与水的混合溶剂中,PPEC发光强度会随着水含量的增加先是急剧降低,而后在高水含量时发光强度又显著增强;在THF与甲醇的混合溶剂中,PPEC发光强度随着甲醇的加入只是逐渐降低;在THF与正己烷的混合溶剂中,PPEC的发光强度则会随着正己烷的增加而增强.该结果表明氨基通过与水,或者自身所形成氢键作用,改变了PPEC分子链之间的聚集态结构,降低了分子内旋转非辐射能量效率,从而有效改善共轭聚合物的主链发光性质,这为设计聚集态下(或固态下)高性能的荧光共轭聚合物提供了一种新思路.     

Rare earth ions-enhanced gold nanoclusters as fluorescent sensor array for the detection and discrimination of phosphate anions

The discrimination and detection of phosphate anions have attracted extensive attention due to their important roles in various biological processes. Compared with sensors to detect one individual phosphate at a time, sensor arrays are able to discriminate multiple phosphates simultaneously. In this study, we developed a rare earth ions enhanced AuNCs-based sensor array to achieve facile and rapid identification of phosphate anions (PPi, ADP and ATP). The rare earth ions (i. e., Ce³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tm³⁺ and Yb³⁺) can significantly enhance the fluorescence of AuNCs through aggregation-induced emission effect. And the subsequent addition of phosphate anions can recover the fluorescence of the AuNCs-rare earth ions assembly. Thanks to the different numbers of phosphate group and different steric hindrance effects of phosphate anions, the recovery fluorescence of AuNCs-rare earth ions assembly induced by PPi, ADP or ATP are respectively distinct. Thus the sensor array composed of AuNCs and different rare earth ions is able to distinguish those phosphate anions. Finally, the sensor array was successfully demonstrated to identify the phosphates in blind samples.     

Colorimetric sensor for ATP in aqueous solution

A new chromogenic complex 1.Zn has been synthesized, and its interactions with different biologically important phosphates have been investigated in aqueous solution (pH approximately 7.2). A visual color change can be detected on binding of ATP to 1.Zn, whereas no such change is observed when other biologically related anions (AMP, ADP, PPi, or Phosphate) are used. Complex 1.Zn can also be used as a staining agent for yeast cells allowing detection under normal light microscopy.     

Ratiometric fluorescent receptors for both Zn2+ and H2PO4(-) ions based on a pyrenyl-linked triazole-modified homooxacalix[3]arene: a potential molecular traffic signal with an R-S latch logic circuit

A ratiometric fluorescent receptor with a C(3) symmetric structure based on a pyrene-linked triazole-modified homooxacalix[3]arene (L) was synthesized and characterized. This system exhibited an interesting ratiometric detection signal output for targeting cations and anions through switching the excimer emission of pyrene from the "on-off" to the "off-on" type in neutral solution. (1)H NMR titration results suggested that the Zn(2+) center of receptor L·Zn(2+) provided an excellent pathway of organizing anion binding groups for optimal host-guest interactions. It is thus believed that this receptor has potential application in sensing, detection, and recognition of both Zn(2+) and H(2)PO(4)(-) ions with different optical signals. In addition, the fluorescence emission changes by the inputs of Zn(2+) and H(2)PO(4)(-) ions can be viewed as a combinational R-S latch logic circuit at the molecular level.     

Structure effect of nucleotides in terbium(III)—nucleotide fluorescent reaction New evidence for the binding sites of terbium(III) on nucleotides

Upon addition of Tb³⁺ to 16 nucleotides and homopolynucleotides, all of them showed a characteristic green emission from Tb³⁺, but with much different intensity, upon excitation in the aromatic region of bases. The result suggested that nucleotides with at least one carbonyl group in nucleotide bases are better enhancers to the fluorescence of Tb³⁺. The complexes of ATP, GDP and GTP with Tb³⁺ are synthesized as two types of models. Guanine type nucleotides with one carbonyl group in the bases are the best enhancers, while adenine type nucleotides with no carbonyl group in the bases are poorest enhancers to the fluorescence of Tb³⁺. Comparing the IR spectra of ATP, GTP, GDP and their Tb³⁺ complexes suggested that C-6 carbonyl group in GTP and GDP may be involved in complex formation, which may be responsible for the effective energy transfer. This is further supported by comparing the UV spectra of ATP, Poly(A), GTP, and Poly(G) with their Tb³⁺ complexes in water solution.