A novel, cell-permeable, fluorescent probe for ratiometric imaging of zinc ion

J Am Chem Soc. 2002 Sep 11;124(36):10650-1. doi: 10.1021/ja026442n.

Abstract

Zn(2+) plays important roles in various biological systems; as a result, the development of tools that can visualize chelatable Zn(2+) has attracted much attention recently. We report here newly synthesized fluorescent sensors for Zn(2+), ZnAF-Rs, whose excitation maximum is shifted by Zn(2+) under physiological conditions. Thus, these sensors enable ratiometric imaging, which is a technique to reduce artifacts by minimizing the influence of extraneous factors on the fluorescence of a probe. Ratiometric measurement can provide precise data, and some probes allow quantitative detection. ZnAF-Rs are the first ratiometric fluorescent sensors for Zn(2+) that enable quantitative analysis under physiological conditions. ZnAF-Rs also possess suitable K(d) for applications, and high selectivity against other biologically relevant cations, especially Ca(2+). Using these probes, changes of intracellular Zn(2+) concentration in cultured cells were monitored successfully. We believe that these probes will be extremely useful in studies on the biological functions of Zn(2+).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzofurans / chemistry
  • Benzofurans / pharmacokinetics
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Chelating Agents / chemistry
  • Chelating Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Ethylenediamines / chemistry
  • Ethylenediamines / pharmacokinetics
  • Fluorescence
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / pharmacokinetics
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Zinc / analysis
  • Zinc / chemistry*

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Chelating Agents
  • Ethylenediamines
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Zinc
  • N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine