Selective two-step labeling of proteins with an off/on fluorescent probe

We present a novel design strategy for off/on fluorescent probes suitable for selective two-step labeling of proteins. To validate this strategy, we designed and synthesized an off/on fluorescent probe, 1-Ni(2+), which targets a cysteine-modified hexahistidine (His) tag. The probe consists of dichlorofluorescein conjugated with nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)-Ni(2+) as the His-tag recognition site and a 2,4-dinitrophenyl ether moiety, which quenches the probe's fluorescence by photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) from the excited fluorophore to the 2,4-dinitrophenyl ether (donor-excited PeT; d-PeT) and also has reactivity with cysteine. His-tag recognition by the NTA-Ni(2+) moiety is followed by removal of the 2,4-dinitrophenyl ether quencher by proximity-enhanced reaction with the cysteine residue of the modified tag; this results in a marked fluorescence increase. Addition of His-tag peptide bearing a cysteine residue to aqueous probe solution resulted in about 20-fold fluorescence increment within 10 min, which is the largest fluorescence enhancement so far obtained with a visible light-excitable fluorescent probe for a His-based peptide tag. Further, we successfully visualized CysHis(6)-peptide tethered to microbeads without any washing step. The probe also showed a large fluorescence increment in the presence of His(6)Cys-tagged enhanced blue fluorescent protein (EBFP), but not His(6)-tagged EBFP. We consider this system is superior to large fluorescence tags (e.g., green fluorescent protein: 27 kDa), which can perturb protein folding, trafficking and function, and also to existing small tags, which generally show little fluorescence increase upon target recognition and therefore require a washout step. This strategy should also be applicable to other tags.     

Ultrasensitive CE for heavy metal ions using the variations in the chemical structures formed from new octadentate fluorescent probes and cationic polymers

Novel fluorescent probes have been developed for the ultratrace detection of heavy metal ions by capillary electrophoresis using laser-induced fluorescence detection. Based on a molecular design, the probes are composed of an octadentate chelating moiety, a macrocyclic DOTA (tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid) and an acyclic DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) frame, a spacer and a fluorophore (fluorescein). These were chosen on the basis of their ability to form kinetically inert and highly emissive complexes, and to prevent a quenching effect even with heavy and paramagnetic metal ions. Addition of a cationic polymer, polybrene, in the separation buffer provided high resolution and simultaneous detection of Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Mn(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+). The direct fluorescence detection of these metal ions with high sensitivity at lower ppt levels, typically 2-7 × 10(-11) M (potentially sub-ppt), was successfully achieved. While separation of anionic compounds using a counter cation ("Ion Association (IA)" mode) is typically controlled by the ion association equilibrium constants, K(ass), it was found that differences in the mobilities, μ(ep(IAC)), of the ion association complexes formed between the probe complexes and counter cations are the driving forces for separation in this new method. This suggests that each of the polybrene-probe complexes has different chemical structures among metal ions, which were able to be determined by CD spectra in this investigation. This novel separation mode was termed the "Ion Association Complex (IAC)" mode, distinct from the IA mode.     

Selective and sensitive fluorescence "turn-on" Zn~(2+) probes based on combination of anthracene,diphenylamine and dipyrrin

Two fluorescence "turn-on" Zn~(2+) probes were developed by introducing an anthracenyl fluorophore through the linkage of a diphenylamino moiety at the 5-position of a dipyrrin moiety.Thus,two compounds with weak fluorescence were designed,synthesized,and employed as CHEF(chelation enhanced fluorescence) type fluorescence "turn-on" Zn~(2+) probes,which exhibit dramatic fluorescence enhancement upon addition of Zn~(2+),showing high sensitivities and impressive detection limits of 13 and12 nM,respectively,better than their analogues containing simple aryl substituents at the 5 positions of a di-or tripyrrin moiety.In addition,both of the probes exhibit good selectivity,short response time of less than 10 s and wide applicable pH ranges.Furthermore,the weak fluorescence nature of the probes was rationalized based on viscosity dependence measurements and theoretical calculations.These results provide further insight into the development of selective and sensitive zinc probes.     

A minimal core based fluorophore for selective detection of Zn(II) ions in aqueous solution and living cells

A minimal core based fluorophore was introduced as a selectively fluorescent "turn on" sensor for Zn(2+) ions in aqueous solution. Addition of Zn(2+) ions to the fluorophore generates a significant emission through a 1:1 ligand-to-metal complex. The fluorescence titration experiment of the minimal core based fluorophore with various metal ions shows that the pyromellitic diimide derivative also has the advantage of a high selectivity to Zn(2+) ions over other metals such as Ni(2+), or Co(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), Fe(2+). More than 8 fold increase in the intensity of fluorescence was observed for the Zn(2+)-bound fluorophore compared to Zn-free fluorophore. Due to its small molecular size, the fluorophore was cell-permeable and successfully applied to the detection of Zn(2+) in living cells. With its relatively high sensitivity to Zn(2+) in living cells, the synthesized new fluorophore will be very useful in the studies on various biological functions of Zn(2+).     

Readily Available Fluorescence Probes for Zinc Ion in Aqueous Solution of Neutral pH

Zinc ion in aqueous solution of neutral pH was detected by a probe that is readily obtained by simply mixing commercially available cyclen (a Zn(II) receptor) and lumazine or lumichrome (a heterocyclic fluorophore containing an imide moiety as partial structure) in an equal molar ratio. The initially generated cyclen-Zn(II) complex interacts with lumazine to form a cyclen-Zn(II)-lumazine complex whereby the intensity of fluorescence is enhanced. These Zn(II) probes showed excellent selectivity for Zn(II) over other divalent metal ions such as Pb(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and good selectivity over Cd(II). The X-ray crystal structure of the cyclen-Zn(II)-lumazine complex revealed that the cyclen-chelated Zn(II) binds deprotonated lumazine at the N-1.     

Quantitative analysis of multiple urinary biomarkers of carcinoid tumors through gold-nanoparticle-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A highly selective and sensitive coumarin-based chemodosimeter 1 for Cu(2+) in water is reported in this work. 1 was designed and facilely synthesized by a one-step reaction with coumarin as a fluorophore and 2-picolinic acid as the binding moiety, which showed very week fluorescence in buffer solution, and its fluorescence was considerably enhanced by the addition of Cu(2+) at room temperature in 5 min. Mechanism study suggested that Cu(2+) promoted the hydrolysis of 1 via the catalytic sensing cycle, generating a highly fluorescent product 7-hydroxycoumarin with fluorescence signal greatly amplified. The probe exhibited remarkably selective fluorescence enhancement to Cu(2+) over other metal ions at 454 nm, with a detection limit of 35 nM Cu(2+). Under optimal condition, 1 was successfully used for the determination of Cu(2+) in fetal equine serum and two water samples.     

A naphthalene-based Al3+ selective fluorescent sensor for living cell imaging

An efficient fluorescent Al(3+) receptor, N-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthalene)-N'-(2-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthalene)amino-ethyl)-ethane-1,2-diamine (L) has been synthesized by the condensation reaction between 2-hydroxy naphthaldehyde and diethylenetriamine. High selectivity and affinity of L towards Al(3+) in ethanol (EtOH) as well as in HEPES buffer at pH 7.4, makes it suitable to detect intracellular Al(3+) with fluorescence microscopy. Metal ions, viz. Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+) and Pb(2+) do not interfere. The lowest detection limit for Al(3+) is 3.0 × 10(-7) M and 1.0 × 10(-7) M in EtOH and HEPES buffer respectively.     

Aminotroponiminates as ligands for potential metal-based nitric oxide sensors

A family of new fluorescently labeled ligands, HRDATI, was prepared to develop transition-metal-based NO sensing strategies. The ligands are composed of aminotroponiminates (ATIs) with a dansyl fluorophore on one of the imine nitrogen atoms and an alkyl substituent, either i-Pr (8), t-Bu (9), or Bz (10), on the other. Bis(chelate) Co2+ ([Co(i-PrDATI)2] (12), [Co(t-BuDATI)2] (14), [Co(BzDATI)2] (15)) and Zn2+ ([Zn(i-PrDATI)2] (13)) complexes were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The bis(ATI) complex [Co(i-Pr2ATI)2] (11) was also prepared and its X-ray crystal structure determined. Cyclic voltammetry reveals reversible redox waves at -2.57 and -0.045 V (vs Cp2Fe/Cp2Fe+) in THF for the Co2+/Co+ and Co3+/Co2+ couples, respectively, of 11. Only a Co2+/Co+ wave at -2.09 V is observed for 12. When excited at 350 nm, the HRDATI ligands and the diamagnetic Zn2+ complex 13 fluoresce around 500 nm, whereas the paramagnetic Co2+ complexes quench the fluorescence. These air-stable cobalt compounds react with nitric oxide to dissociate a DATI ligand and form neutral dinitrosyl complexes, [Co(NO)2(RDATI)]. The release of the fluorophore-containing ligand is accompanied by an increase in fluorescence intensity, thus providing a strategy for fluorescent NO sensing. Linking two DATI moieties via a tetramethylene chain affords the ligand H2DATI-4 (18). The Co2+ complex [Co(DATI-4)] (19) reacts more readily with NO than the bis(DATI) compounds and also displays an increase in fluorescence intensity upon NO binding.     

Selective ultratrace detection of Al(III) and Ga(III) complexed with a calcein isomer by capillary zone electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection. Comparison of emissive polyaminocarboxylates as derivatizing ligands

A highly sensitive and selective capillary zone electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CZE-LIF) for Al(3+) and Ga(3+) was developed using a calcein 4',5'-isomer as a pre-capillary complexing agent. Direct fluorescent detection without an agent added to the carrier buffer provided the notable detection limits of 3.9x10(-10) and 4.6x10(-10)moldm(-3) for Al and Ga, respectively. By applying this system successfully to a river water sample, its potential for practical applications was ascertained. A comparison of three aromatic polyaminocarboxylate ligands related to the coordination structure and the distance between the fluorophore and the chelating moiety, revealed some interesting factors regarding their selectivity.     

Modular and tunable chemosensor scaffold for divalent zinc

A modular peptide scaffold has been developed for fluorescent sensing of divalent zinc. The signaling component of the chemosensor is the chelation-sensitive fluorophore 8-hydroxy-5-(N,N-dimethylsulfonamido)-2-methylquinoline, which is prepared as the protected amino acid derivative Fmoc-Sox-OH and integrated into peptide sequences. Nineteen synthetic peptides incorporating the signaling element exhibit a range of affinities for Zn(2+) through variation of the type and number of Zn(2+) ligands, ligand arrangement and the beta-turn sequence that acts as a preorganization element between the ligands. The stoichiometry of the peptide-Zn(2+) complexes is evaluated by several criteria. The fluorescence response of these peptides to pH and various important metal ions is reported. Eleven of these sequences form only 1:1 complexes with Zn(2+) and their affinities range from 10 nM to nearly 1 microM. When used in concert, these sensors can provide Zn(2+) concentration information in a valuable range.     

丙二胺缩乙酰丙酮单席夫碱、咪唑金属配合物的XPS与电子结构分析

对6个丙二胺缩乙酰丙酮单席夫碱、咪唑（苯并咪唑）金属配合物进行了XPS分析，得到了配合物在生成过程中金属离子M(Cu^2 、Ni^2 、Co^2 ）的2p轨道、配位体N原子的1s轨道能级的变化道；观察到咪唑或苯并咪唑配位后，其环上另一个非配位的胺N原子向亚胺型N原子状态过渡。     

New dioxadiaza- and trioxadiaza-macrocycles containing one dibenzofuran unit with two amino pendant arms: synthesis, protonation and complexation studies

New dioxadiaza- and trioxadiaza-macrocycles containing one rigid dibenzofuran unit (DBF) and N-(2-aminoethyl) pendant arms were synthesized, N,N'-bis(2-aminoethyl)-[17](DBF)N(2)O(2) (L(1)) and N,N'-bis(2-aminoethyl)-[22](DBF)N(2)O(3) (L(2)), respectively. The binding properties of both macrocycles to metal ions and structural studies of their metal complexes were carried out. The protonation constants of both compounds and the stability constants of their complexes with Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Pb(2+) were determined at 298.2 K, in aqueous solutions, and at ionic strength 0.10 mol dm(-3) in KNO(3). Mononuclear complexes with both ligands were formed, and dinuclear complexes were only found for L(2). The thermodynamic binding affinities of the metal complexes of L(2) are lower than those of L(1) as expected, but the Pb(2+) complexes of both macrocycles exhibit close stability constant values. On the other hand, the binding affinities of Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) for L(1) are very high, when compared to those of Co(2+), Ni(2+) and Zn(2+). These interesting properties were explained by the presence of the rigid DBF moiety in the backbone of the macrocycle and to the special match between the macrocyclic cavity size and the studied larger metal ions. To elucidate the adopted structures of complexes in solution, the nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with both ligands were further studied by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy in DMSO-H(2)O 1 : 1 (v/v) solution. The copper(II) complexes were also studied by EPR spectroscopy in the same mixture of solvents. The crystal structure of the copper complex of L(1) was also determined. The copper(II) displays an octahedral geometry, the four nitrogen atoms forming the equatorial plane and two oxygen atoms, one from the DBF unit and the other one from the ether oxygen, in axial positions. One of the ether oxygens of the macrocycle is out of the coordination sphere. Our results led us to suggest that this geometry is also adopted by the Co(2+) to Zn(2+) complexes, and only the larger Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) manage to form complexes with the involvement of all the oxygen atoms of the macrocyclic backbone.     

Direct nitric oxide detection in aqueous solution by copper(II) fluorescein complexes

A series of FL(n) (n = 1-5) ligands, where FL(n) is a fluorescein modified with a functionalized 8-aminoquinoline group as a copper-binding moiety, were synthesized, and the chemical and photophysical properties of the free ligands and their copper complexes were investigated. UV-visible spectroscopy revealed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry for the Cu(II) complexes of FL(1), FL(3), and FL(5) in pH 7.0 buffered aqueous solutions. The reactions of FL(2) or FL(4) with CuCl(2), however, appear to produce a mixture of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes, as suggested by Job's plots. These binding modes were modeled by the synthesis and X-ray crystal structure determination of Cu(II) complexes of 2-[(quinolin-8-ylamino)methyl]phenol (modL), employed as a surrogate of the FL(n) ligand family. Two kinds of crystals, [Cu(modL)(2)](BF(4))(2) and [Cu(2)(modL')(2)(CH(3)OH)](BF(4))(2) (modL' = 2-[(quinolin-8-ylamino)methyl]phenolate), were obtained. The structures suggest that one oxygen and two nitrogen atoms of the FL(n) ligands most likely bind to Cu(II). Introduction of nitric oxide (NO) to pH 7.0 buffered aqueous solutions of Cu(FL(n)) (1 microM CuCl(2) and 1 microM FL(n)) at 37 degrees C induces an increase in fluorescence. The fluorescence response of Cu(FL(n)) to NO is direct and specific, which is a significant improvement over commercially available small molecule-based probes that are capable of detecting NO only indirectly. The NO-triggered fluorescence increase of Cu(FL(5)) occurs by reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) with concomitant dissociation of the N-nitrosated fluorophore ligand from copper. Spectroscopic and product analyses of the reaction of the FL(5) copper complex with NO indicated that the N-nitrosated fluorescein ligand (FL(5)-NO) is the species responsible for fluorescence turn-on. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of FL(5) versus FL(5)-NO reveal how N-nitrosation of the fluorophore ligand brings about the fluorescence increase. The copper-based probes described in the present work form the basis for real-time detection of nitric oxide production in living cells.     

Bright fluorescent chemosensor platforms for imaging endogenous pools of neuronal zinc

A series of new fluorescent Zinpyr (ZP) chemosensors based on the fluorescein platform have been prepared and evaluated for imaging neuronal Zn(2+). A systematic synthetic survey of electronegative substitution patterns on a homologous ZP scaffold provides a basis for tuning the fluorescence responses of "off-on" photoinduced electron transfer (PET) probes by controlling fluorophore pK(a) values and attendant proton-induced interfering fluorescence of the metal-free (apo) probes at physiological pH. We further establish the value of these improved optical tools for interrogating the metalloneurochemistry of Zn(2+); the novel ZP3 fluorophore images endogenous stores of Zn(2+) in live hippocampal neurons and slices, including the first fluorescence detection of Zn(2+) in isolated dentate gyrus cultures. Our findings reveal that careful control of fluorophore pK(a) can minimize proton-induced fluorescence of the apo probes and that electronegative substitution offers a general strategy for tuning PET chemosensors for cellular studies. In addition to providing improved optical tools for Zn(2+) in the neurosciences, these results afford a rational starting point for creating superior fluorescent probes for biological applications.     

A water soluble Al(3+) selective colorimetric and fluorescent turn-on chemosensor and its application in living cell imaging

An efficient water soluble fluorescent Al(3+) receptor, 1-[[(2-furanylmethyl)imino]methyl]-2-naphthol (1-H) was synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic tools along with single crystal X-ray crystallography. High selectivity and affinity of 1-H towards Al(3+) in HEPES buffer (DMSO/water: 1/100) of pH 7.4 at 25 °C showed it to be suitable for detection of intracellular Al(3+) by fluorescence microscopy. Metal ions, viz. alkali (Na(+), K(+)), alkaline earth (Mg(2+), Ca(2+)), and transition-metal ions (Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+/6+), Hg(2+)) and Pb(2+), Ag(+) did not interfere. The lowest detection limit for Al(3+) was calculated to be 6.03 × 10(-7) M in 100 mM HEPES buffer (DMSO/water: 1/100). Theoretical calculations have also been included in support of the configuration of the probe-aluminium complex.     

Electronic structural dependence of the photophysical properties of fluorescent heteroditopic ligands - implications in designing molecular fluorescent indicators

Two fluorescent heteroditopic ligands (2a and 2b) for zinc ion were synthesized and studied. The efficiencies of two photophysical processes, intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and photoinduced electron transfer (PET), determine the magnitudes of emission bathochromic shift and enhancement, respectively, when a heteroditopic ligand forms mono- or dizinc complexes. The electron-rich 2b is characterized by a high degree of ICT in the excited state with little propensity for PET, which is manifested in a large bathochromic shift of emission upon Zn(2+) coordination without enhancement in fluorescence quantum yield. The electron-poor 2a displays the opposite photophysical consequence where Zn(2+) binding results in greatly enhanced emission without significant spectral shift. The electronic structural effects on the relative efficiencies of ICT and PET in 2a and 2b as well as the impact of Zn(2+)-coordination are probed using experimental and computational approaches. This study reveals that the delicate balance between various photophysical pathways (e.g. ICT and PET) engineered in a heteroditopic ligand is sensitively dependent on the electronic structure of the ligand, i.e. whether the fluorophore is electron-rich or poor, whether it possesses a donor-acceptor type of structure, and where the metal binding occurs.     

Formation and dissociation kinetics of triaza-crown-alkanoic acid complexes of transition metal(II) and lanthanide (III)

The formation and dissociation rates of some transition metal(II) and lanthanide(III) complexes of the 1,7,13-triaza-4,10,16-trioxacyclooctadecane N',N',N'-triacetic acid (1) and 1,7,13-triaza-4,10,16-trioxacyclooctadecane-N',N',N'- trimethylacetic acid (2) have been measured by the use of stopped-flow and conventional spectrophotometry. Experimental observations were made at 25.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C and at an ionic strength of 0.10 M KCl. The complexation of Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) ions with 1 and 2 proceeds through the formation of an intermediate complex (MH(3)L(+) *) in which the metal ion is incompletely coordinated. This may then lead to a final product in the rate-determining step. Between pH 4.68 and 5.55, the diprotonated (H(2)L(-)) form is revealed to be a kinetically active species despite its low concentration. The stability constants (log K (MH (3)L (+) *)) and specific base-catalyzed rate constants (k(OH)) of intermediate complexes have been determined from the kinetic data. The dissociation reactions of 1 and 2 complexes of Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Ce(3+), Eu(3+) and Yb(3+) were investigated with Cu(2+) ions as a scavenger in acetate buffer. All complexes exhibit acid-independent and acid-catalyzed contributions. The buffer and Cu(2+) concentration dependence on the dissociation rate has also been investigated. The metal and ligand effects on the dissociation rate of some transition metal(II) and lanthanide(III) complexes are discussed in terms of the ionic radius of the metal ions, the side-pendant arms and the rigidity of the ligands.     

2,1,3-Benzoxadiazole-based selective chromogenic chemosensor for rapid naked-eye detection of Hg2+ and Cu2+

We report a simple twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) chromogenic chemosensor for rapid and selective detection of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+). The sensor was composed of an electron-acceptor 4-fluoro moiety and an electron-donor 7-mercapto-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole species where the S together with the 1-N provided the soft binding unit. Upon Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) complexation, remarkable but different absorbance spectra shifts were obtained in CH(3)CN-H(2)O mixed buffer solution at pH 7.6, which can be easily used for naked-eye detection. The sensor formed a stable 2:1 complex with Cu(2+), and both 2:1 and 3:1 complexes with Hg(2+). While alkali-, alkaline earth- and other heavy and transition metal ions such as Na(+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Ag(+), Zn(2+), Pb(2+) and Cd(2+) did not cause any significant spectral changes of the sensor. This finding is not only a supplement to the detecting methods for Hg(2+) and Cu(2+), but also adds new merits to the chemistry of 4,7-substituted 2,1,3-benzoxadiazoles.     

Tren centered tris-macrocycles as polytopic ligands for Cu(II) and Ni(II)

Two novel symmetric polytopic ligands L(1) and L(2) have been synthesized. They are composed of three 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane macrocycles which are connected to a central tren moiety via an ethylene and a trimethylene bridge, respectively. The complexation potential and the speciation diagrams of L(1) and L(2) towards Cu(2+) and Ni(2+) were determined by spectrophotometric and potentiometric titrations. Insight into the geometry of the Cu(2+) complexes is provided by UV-VIS and EPR spectroscopy. The simplified ligands L(3) and L(4) are utilized as references for an aminoethyl- and a tren-substituted tetraaza macrocycle to help assign the EPR spectra of the polytopic ligands L(1) and L(2). At a metal-to-ligand ratio of 3 : 1, the metal cations are preferentially bound to the tetraaza macrocycles of L(1) and L(2) in a square planar geometry. At high pH values, a nitrogen atom of the tren moiety in L(1) serves as an additional ligand in an axial position leading to a square pyramidal coordination around Cu(2+), whereas in L(2) no such geometry change is observed. At a metal-to-ligand ratio of 4 : 1, the additional metal cation resides in the central tren moiety of L(1) and L(2). However, in contrast to the typical trigonal bipyramidal geometry found in the [Cutren](2+) complex, the fourth Cu(2+) has a square pyramidal coordination caused by the interaction with the Cu(2+) cations in the macrocycles (as evidenced by EPR spectra). Since the sequence of metal complexation is such that the first three metal ions always bind to the three macrocycles of L(1) and L(2) and the fourth to the tren unit, it is possible to prepare heteronuclear complexes such as [Cu(3)NiL](8+) or [Ni(3)CuL](8+), which can be unambiguously identified by their spectral properties.     

Rational principles for modulating fluorescence properties of fluorescein

Rational design strategies based on practical fluorescence modulation mechanisms would enable us to rapidly develop novel fluorescence probes for target molecules. Here, we present a practical and general principle for modulating the fluorescence properties of fluorescein. We hypothesized that (a) the fluorescein molecule can be divided into two moieties, i.e., the xanthene moiety as a fluorophore and the benzene moiety as a fluorescence-controlling moiety, even though there is no obvious linker structure between them, and (b) the fluorescence properties can be modulated via a photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) process from the excited fluorophore to a reducible benzene moiety (donor-excited PeT; d-PeT). To evaluate the relationship between the reduction potential of the benzene moiety and the fluorescence properties, we designed and synthesized various derivatives in which the reduction potential of the benzene moiety was fine tuned by introducing electron-withdrawing groups onto the benzene moiety. Our results clearly show that the fluorescence properties of fluorescein derivatives were indeed finely modulated depending upon the reduction potential of the benzene moiety. This information provides a basis for a practical strategy for rational design of novel functional fluorescence probes.