Synthesis of a fluorescent chemosensor suitable for the imaging of zinc(II) in live cells

Silica-Coated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles as a Bifunctional Agent for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and ZnII Fluorescent Sensing

Bifunctional magnetic/fluorescent core-shell silica nanospheres (MNPs) encapsulated with the magnetic Fe₃O₄ core and a derivate of 8-amimoquinoline (N-(quinolin-8-yl)-2-(3-(triethoxysilyl) propylamino) acetamide) (QTEPA) into the shell were synthesized. These functional MNPs were prepared with a modified stöber method and the formed Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-QTEPA core-shell nanocomposites are biocompatible, water-dispersible, and stable. These prepared nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray power diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermoelectric plasma Quad II inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), TG/DTA thermal analyzer (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further application of the nanoparticles in detecting Zn²⁺ was confirmed by the fluorescence experiment: the nanosensor shows high selectivity and sensitivity to Zn²⁺ with a 22-fold fluorescence emission enhancement in the presence of 10 μM Zn²⁺. Moreover, the transverse relaxivity measurements show that the core-shell MNPs have T2 relaxivity (r2) of 155.05 mM^-1 S^-1 based on Fe concentration on the 3.0 T scanner, suggesting that the compound can be used as a negative contrast agent for MRI. Further in vivo experiments showed that these MNPs could be used as MRI contrast agent. Therefore, the new nanosensor provides the dual modality of magnetic resonance imaging and optical imaging.

Tools and techniques for illuminating the cell biology of zinc

Zinc (Zn²⁺) is an essential micronutrient that is required for a wide variety of cellular processes. Tools and methods have been instrumental in revealing the myriad roles of Zn²⁺ in cells. This review highlights recent developments fluorescent sensors to measure the labile Zn²⁺ pool, chelators to manipulate Zn²⁺ availability, and fluorescent tools and proteomics approaches for monitoring Zn²⁺-binding proteins in cells. Finally, we close with some highlights on the role of Zn²⁺ in regulating cell function and in cell signaling.

Synthesis, characterization and fluorescence turn-on behavior of new porphyrin analogue: meta-benziporphodimethenes

New fluorescence switch-on meso-substituted free base meta-benziporphodimethenes were synthesized, characterized via acid catalyzed condensation reaction and metallated with Zn(2+). Their photophysical properties were also studied. The fluorescence spectra analysis demonstrates substituent's independent behaviour on emitting λmax. The average Stokes shift of 33nm was observed. Crystal structure of 8 was obtained and gave expected perturbed geometry.

Synthesis, characterization, optical properties and theoretical calculations of 6-fluoro coumarin

6-Fluoro coumarin is synthesized and characterized by (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. The optical properties of the title compound are investigated by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra, the results show the title compound can absorb UV-vis light at 319, 269 and 215nm, moreover it exhibits blue-purple fluorescence emission at 416nm. Theoretical studies on molecular structure, infrared spectra (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR) chemical shifts, UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission of the synthesized compound have been worked out. Most chemical calculations were performed by density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level (NMR at B3LYP/Aug-CC-Pvdz level) using Gaussian 09 program. The compared results reveal that the scaled theoretical vibrational frequencies are in good accordance with the observed spectra; computational chemical shifts are consistent with the experimental values in most parts, except for some minor deviations; the UV-vis absorption calculated matches the experimental one very well, and the fluorescence emission spectrum is in good agreement with the experimental one when the solute-solvent hydrogen-bonding interaction is considered. These good coincidences prove that the computational methods selected can be used to predict these properties of other similar materials where it is difficult to arrive at experimental results.

Cysteamine-based cell-permeable Zn(2+)-specific molecular bioimaging materials: from animal to plant cells

Structure-interaction/fluorescence relationship studies led to the development of a small chemical library of Zn(2+)-specific cysteamine-based molecular probes. The probe L5 with higher excitation/emission wavelengths, which absorbs in the visible region and emits in the green, was chosen as a model imaging material for biological studies. After successful imaging of intracellular zinc in four different kinds of cells including living organisms, plant, and animal cells, in vivo imaging potential of L5 was evaluated using plant systems. In vivo imaging of translocation of zinc through the stem of a small herb with a transparent stem, Peperomia pellucida, confirmed the stability of L5 inside biological systems and the suitability of L5 for real-time analysis. Similarly, fluorescence imaging of zinc in gram sprouts revealed the efficacy of the probe in the detection and localization of zinc in cereal crops. This imaging technique will help in knowing the efficiency of various techniques used for zinc enrichment of cereal crops. Computational analyses were carried out to better understand the structure, the formation of probe-Zn(2+) complexes, and the emission properties of these complexes.

Integrated and passive 1,2,3-triazolyl groups in fluorescent indicators for zinc(II) ions: thermodynamic and kinetic evaluations

In addition to being a covalent linker in molecular conjugation chemistry, the function of a 1,2,3-triazolyl moiety resulting from the copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction as a ligand for metal ions is receiving considerable attention. In this work, we characterize the thermodynamic and kinetic effects of incorporating a 1,2,3-triazolyl group in a multidentate ligand scaffold on metal coordination in the context of fluorescent zinc(II) indicator development. Ligands L14, BrL14, and FL14 (1,4-isomers) contain the 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazolyl group that is capable of binding with zinc(II) in conjunction with a di(2-picolylamino) (DPA) moiety within a multidentate ligand scaffold. Therefore, the 1,2,3-triazolyl in the 1,4-isomers is "integrated" in chelation. The 1,5-isomers L15, BrL15, and FL15 contain 1,2,3-triazolyls that are excluded from participating in zinc(II) coordination. These 1,2,3-triazolyls are "passive linkers". Zinc(II) complexes of 2:1 (ligand/metal) stoichiometry are identified in solution using (1)H NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and, in one case, characterized in the solid state. The 1:1 ligand/zinc(II) affinity ratio of L14 over L15, which is attributed to the affinity enhancement of a 1,2,3-triazolyl group to zinc(II) over that of the solvent acetonitrile, is quantified at 18 (-1.7 kcal/mol at 298 K) using an ITC experiment. Fluorescent ligands FL14 and FL15 are evaluated for their potential in zinc(II) sensing applications under pH neutral aqueous conditions. The 1,4-isomer FL14 binds zinc(II) both stronger and faster than the 1,5-isomer FL15. Visualization of free zinc(II) ion distribution in live HeLa cells is achieved using both FL14 and FL15. The superiority of FL14 in staining endogenous zinc(II) ions in live rat hippocampal slices is evident. In summation, this work is a fundamental study of 1,2,3-triazole coordination chemistry, with a demonstration of its utility in developing fluorescent indicators.

A Coumarin Fluorescent Probe for Ca2+ Containing Aza-Crown Ether Unit

A novel fluorescent probe for Ca2+ based on coumarin containing an aza-crown ether unit was synthesised. The probe recognised Ca2+, and formed a 1 : 1 complex with Ca2+ in acetonitrile.

A new Schiff base system bearing two naphthalene groups as fluorescent chemodosimeter for Zn2+ ion and its logic gate behavior

1-((E)-(2-((2-nitrobenzyl)(2-((E)-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methyleneamino)ethyl)amino)ethylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (H(2)L), The new compound featuring two naphthalene units was synthesized and characterized. We find that H(2)L has high selectivity and sensitivity to detect Zn(2+) ion over other metal ions such as Na(+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cr(3+), Cu(2+), Hg(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), Fe(3+), and the sensitivity is about 10(-7)M. The fluorescent changes of H(2)L upon the addition of cations Zn(2+) and triethylamine is utilized as an AND logic gate at the molecular level, using Zn(2+) and triethylamine as chemical inputs and the fluorescence intensity signal as output.

Model Systems for Fluorescence and Singlet Oxygen Quenching by Metalloporphyrins

Next-generation photodynamic therapy agents will minimize extraneous phototoxicity by being active only at the target site. To this end, we have developed a model system to systematically investigate the excited-state quenching ability of a number of metalloporphyrins. Central metal ions that prefer four-coordinate, square planar orientations (Ag(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pd(II), and Zn(II)) were used. Porphyrin dimers based on 5-(4-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin and comprising both a free base porphyrin and a metalloporphyrin covalently linked through a five-carbon alkyl chain were synthesized. The fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yields for the dimers were probed at 630 and 650 nm, respectively, resulting in the excitation of only the free base porphyrin and allowing a comparison of the quenching efficacy of each central metal ion. These results demonstrate that metalloporphyrins can serve as efficient quenchers, and may be useful in the design of novel light-activated therapeutic agents.

Illuminating zinc in biological systems

Zinc is the second most abundant transition metal in the human body, fulfilling a multitude of biological roles, but the mechanisms underlying its physiology are poorly understood. The lack of knowledge is, in part, due to the hitherto limited techniques available to track zinc in biological systems. The recent emergence of a number of zinc-specific molecular sensors has provided a new tool to image zinc in live cells and tissue samples. This contribution highlights the concepts behind using zinc-specific fluorescent molecular sensors to gain information about zinc action in biological samples, and provides representative examples of images recorded.

QZ1 and QZ2: rapid, reversible quinoline-derivatized fluoresceins for sensing biological Zn(II)

QZ1, 2-[2-chloro-6-hydroxy-3-oxo-5-(quinolin-8-ylaminomethyl)-3H-xanthen-9-yl]benzoic acid, and QZ2, 2-[6-hydroxy-3-oxo-4,5-bis-(quinolin-8-ylaminomethyl)-3H-xanthen-9-yl]benzoic acid, two fluorescein-based dyes derivatized with 8-aminoquinoline, have been prepared and their photophysical, thermodynamic, and zinc-binding kinetic properties determined. Because of their low background fluorescence and highly emissive Zn(II) complexes, QZ1 and QZ2 have a large dynamic range, with approximately 42- and approximately 150-fold fluorescence enhancements upon Zn(II) coordination, respectively. These dyes have micromolar K(d) values for Zn(II) and are selective for Zn(II) over biologically relevant concentrations of the alkali and alkaline earth metals. The Zn(II) complexes also fluoresce brightly in the presence of excess Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II), offering improved specificity for Zn(II) over di(2-picolyl)amine-based Zn(II) sensors. Stopped-flow kinetic investigations indicate that QZ1 and QZ2 bind Zn(II) with k(on) values of (3-4) x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), compared to (6-8) x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) for select ZP (Zinpyr) dyes, at 4.3 degrees C. Dissociation of Zn(II) from QZ1 and QZ2 occurs with k(off) values of 150 and 160 s(-1), over 5 orders of magnitude larger than those for ZP probes, achieving reversibility on the biological (millisecond) time scale. Laser scanning confocal and two-photon microscopy studies reveal that QZ2 is cell-permeable and Zn(II)-responsive in vivo. Because of its weaker affinity for Zn(II), QZ2 responds to higher concentrations of intracellular Zn(II) than members of the ZP family, illustrating that binding affinity is an important parameter for Zn(II) detection in vivo.

Zinc sensing for cellular application

Numerous tools for Zn2+ sensing in living cells have become available in the past three years. Among them, fluorescence imaging using fluorescent sensor molecules has been the most popular approach. Some of these sensor molecules can be used to visualize Zn2+ in living cells. Some of the biological functions of Zn2+ have been clarified using these sensor molecules, especially in neuronal cells, which contain a high concentration of free Zn2+.

A tautomeric zinc sensor for ratiometric fluorescence imaging: application to nitric oxide-induced release of intracellular zinc

Zinc is an essential metal ion for human growth and development, the disruption of cellular Zn(2+) homeostasis being implicated in several major disorders including Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and cancer. The molecular mechanisms of Zn(2+) physiology and pathology are insufficiently understood, however, owing in part to the lack of tools for measuring changes in intracellular Zn(2+) concentrations with high spatial and temporal fidelity. To address this critical need, we have synthesized, characterized, and applied an intracellular fluorescent probe for the ratiometric imaging of Zn(2+) based on a tautomeric seminaphthofluorescein platform. Zin-naphthopyr 1 (ZNP1) affords single-excitation, dual-emission ratiometric detection of intracellular Zn(2+) through Zn(2+)-controlled switching between fluorescein and naphthofluorescein tautomeric forms. The probe features visible excitation and emission profiles, excellent selectivity responses for Zn(2+) over competing Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) ions at intracellular concentrations, a dissociation constant (K(d)) for Zn(2+) of <1 nM, and an 18-fold increase in fluorescence emission intensity ratio (lambda(624)/lambda(528)) upon zinc binding. We demonstrate the value of the ZNP1 platform for biological applications by imaging changes in intracellular [Zn(2+)] in living mammalian cells. Included is the ratiometric detection of endogenous pools of intracellular Zn(2+) after NO-induced release of Zn(2+) from cellular metalloproteins. We anticipate that ZNP1 and related probes should find utility for interrogating the biology of Zn(2+).

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.

DPA-substituted coumarins as chemosensors for zinc(ii): modulation of the chemosensory characteristics by variation of the position of the chelate on the coumarin

The sensory capabilities of two novel di(2-picolyl)amine (DPA)-substituted coumarins are described and it is shown that the variation of the point of attachment of the DPA group to the coumarin framework controls their sensing behavior: the 4-substituted system is a CHEF-type sensor that shows a significant increase in fluorescence intensity upon Zn(2+) binding, whereas the 3-substituted system is a ratiometric sensor.