Work

Rational design of a water-soluble, lipid-compatible fluorescent probe for Cu( i ) with sub-part-per-trillion sensitivity

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Fluorescence probes represent an attractive solution for the detection of the biologically important Cu(I) cation; however, achieving a bright, high-contrast response has been a challenging goal. Concluding from previous studies on pyrazoline-based fluorescent Cu(I) probes, the maximum attainable fluorescence contrast and quantum yield were limited due to several non-radiative deactivation mechanisms, including ternary complex formation, excited state protonation, and colloidal aggregation in aqueous solution. Through knowledge-driven optimization of the ligand and fluorophore architectures, we overcame these limitations in the design of CTAP-3, a Cu(I)-selective fluorescent probe offering a 180-fold fluorescence enhancement, 41% quantum yield, and a limit of detection in the sub-part-per-trillion concentration range. In contrast to lipophilic Cu(I)-probes, CTAP-3 does not aggregate and interacts only weakly with lipid bilayers, thus maintaining a high contrast ratio even in the presence of liposomes.

Source: Chemical Science

DOI: 10.1039/c5sc03643g

Authors: M. T. Morgan, A. M. McCallum, C. J. Fahrni

Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection

Subfield: Spectroscopy

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Award: Molecular Tools to Illuminate Copper Transport and Homeostasis