Small-Molecule Fluorescent Probes for Binding- and Activity-Based Sensing of Redox-Active Biological Metals

Although transition metals constitute less than 0.1% of the total mass within a human body, they have a substantial impact on fundamental biological processes across all kingdoms of life. Indeed, these nutrients play crucial roles in the physiological functions of enzymes, with the redox properties of many of these metals being essential to their activity. At the same time, imbalances in transition metal pools can be detrimental to health. Modern analytical techniques are helping to illuminate the workings of metal homeostasis at a molecular and atomic level, their spatial localization in real time, and the implications of metal dysregulation in disease pathogenesis. Fluorescence microscopy has proven to be one of the most promising non-invasive methods for studying metal pools in biological samples. The accuracy and sensitivity of bioimaging experiments are predominantly determined by the fluorescent metal-responsive sensor, highlighting the importance of rational probe design for such measurements. This review covers activity- and binding-based fluorescent metal sensors that have been applied to cellular studies. We focus on the essential redox-active metals: iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, chromium, and nickel. We aim to encourage further targeted efforts in developing innovative approaches to understanding the biological chemistry of redox-active metals.

Importance of BODIPY-based Chemosensors for Cations and Anions in Bio-imaging Applications

Background:

Chemosensor compounds are useful for sensitive selective detection of cations and anions with fluorophore groups in an attempt to develop the effective selectivity of the sensors. Although familiar fluorescent sensors utilizing inter-molecular interactions with the cations and anions, an extraordinary endeavor was executed the preparation of fluorescent-based sensor compounds. 4,4-difluoro-4- bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (Bodipy) and its derivatives were firstly used as an agent in the imaging of biomolecules due to their interesting structures, complexation, and fluorogenic properties. Among the fluorescent chemosensors used for cations and anions, Bodipy-based probes stand out owing to the excellent properties such as sharp emission profile, high stability, etc. In this review, we emphasize the Bodipy-based chemosensor compounds, which have been used to image cations and anions in living cells, because of as well as the biocompatibility and spectroscopic properties.

Methods:

Research and online content related to chemosensor online activity is reviewed. The advances, sensing mechanisms and design strategies of the fluorophore exploiting selective detection of some cation and anions with Bodipy-based chemosensors are explained. It could be claimed that the using of Bodipy-based chemosensors is very important for cations and anions in bio-imaging applications.

Results:

Molecular sensors or chemosensors are molecules that show a change can be detected when affected by the analyte. They are capable of producing a measurable signal when they are selective for a particular molecule. Molecular and ion recognition that it is important in biological systems such as enzymes, genes, environment, and chemical fields. Due to the toxic properties of many heavy metal ions, it is of great importance to identify these metals due to their harmful effects on living metabolism and the pollution they create in the environment. This process can be performed with analytical methods based on atomic absorption and emission. The fluorescence methods among chemosensor systems have many advantages such as sensitivity, selectivity, low price, simplicity of using the instrument and direct determination in solutions. The fluorescence studies can be applied at nanomolar concentrations.

Conclusion:

During a few decades, a lot of Bodipy-based chemosensors for the detection of cations & anions have been investigated in bio-imaging applications. For the Bodipy-based fluorescent chemosensors, the Bodipy derivatives were prepared by different ligand groups for the illumination of the photophysical and photochemical properties. The synthesized Bodipy-based chemosensors have remarkable photophysical properties, such as a high quantum yield, strong molar absorption coefficient etc. Moreover, these chemosensors were successfully implemented on living organisms for the detection of analytes.

Highly Sensitive Dansyl-Based Chemosensor for Detection of Cu2+ in Aqueous Solution and Zebrafish

A new dansyl-based chemosensor (2-(4-((5-(dimethylamino)naphthalen-1-yl)sulfonyl)piperazin-1-yl)-N-(quinolin-8-yl)acetamide) (DC) for detecting Cu2+ was synthesized and characterized. DC showed great selectivity to Cu2+ by a fluorescent "on-off" detection method. Job plot, ESI-mass spectroscopy, and 1H NMR titration suggested a 1 to 1 binding mode between DC and Cu2+. The detection limit was determined to be 43 nM, which is greatly below the WHO guidelines. In addition, DC can be applied to real samples and zebrafish imaging. The fluorescence quenching mechanism was proposed as the enhancement of intramolecular charge transfer with calculations.

Two macrocycle-based sensors for anions sensing

Two macrocyclic bis-benzimidazolium salts 2 and 4 (23-membered for 2 and 25-membered for 4) were prepared, and their structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallography, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The research of anion recognitions using 2 or 4 as hosts were carried out with the methods of fluorescence and ultraviolet spectroscopy, 1H NMR titrations, MS and IR spectra. The experiment results show that 2 can detect acetate anion and 4 can detect nitrate anion with favorable selectivity and sensitivity.

A new fluorescent–colorimetric chemosensor for cobalt(ii) ions based on bis-benzimidazolium salt with three anthraquinone groups

A novel colorimetric chemosensor was prepared, and its recognition performance for Co²⁺ was investigated by the fluorescence method and color change.

Label-free, Water-soluble Fluorescent Peptide Probe for a Sensitive and Selective Determination of Copper Ions

This study aimed to develop a label-free, sensitive, selective, and environment-friendly fluorescent peptide probe His-His-Trp-His (HHWH) for determining the concentration of copper ion (Cu²⁺) in aqueous solutions. The results demonstrated that the designed HHWH has a high selectivity and sensitivity for monitoring the concentration of free Cu²⁺ via quenching of the probe fluorescence upon a binding of Cu²⁺. The fluorescence intensity of the HHWH had a linear relationship with the concentration of Cu²⁺ between 10 nM and 10 μM, and the detection limit was 8 nM. Furthermore, HHWH could be regenerated with sulfide ions at least five times. The concentrations of Cu²⁺ in three different real water samples were detected using this probe, and the results were consistent with the one detected using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Thus, HHWH can be used as an accurate and feasible fluorescent peptide probe for detecting Cu²⁺ in aqueous solutions.

Modulating aggregation-induced emission via a non-conjugated linkage of fluorophores to tetraphenylethenes

A fluorophore (DNS or NBD) is attached to tetraphenylethene via a non-conjugated bridge, endowing the resulting aggregates with distinct emission properties.

Naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe for selectively and specifically detecting glutathione in the lysosomes of living cells

A novel naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe employing a sulfonamide unit as a thiol-responsive group is reported. It is capable of efficiently distinguishing GSH from cysteine and homocysteine. Bioimaging shows that it has high selectivity in living cells and can visualize the level of GSH in lysosomes. It is worth mentioning that different groups on the imide unit can affect the selectivity and reaction dynamics of the probe towards thiols.

The structural characterization and biological activity of sulfamethoxazolyl-azo-p-cresol, its copper(ii) complex and their theoretical studies

Sulfonamide-azophenol and its copper(ii) complex exhibit antimicrobial activity and interaction with DNA. Molecular docking was used to determine the mechanism of drug action.

A fluorescent turn-on H2S-responsive probe: design, synthesis and application

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is considered as the third signaling moleculein vivoand it plays an important role in various physiological processes and pathological processesin vivo, such as vasodilation, apoptosis, neurotransmission, ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury, insulin secretion and inflammation.

Smart gold nanosensor for easy sensing of lead and copper ions in solution and using paper strips

A smart gold nanosensor, Au–TA–DNS is designed that can rapidly detect very low concentrations of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions.