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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Two-Photon-Based Photoactivation in Live Zebrafish Embryos
Published on: December 24, 2010
Two-photon probes for Zn2+ ions with various dissociation constants. Detection of Zn2+ ions in live cells and tissues
Isravel Antony Danish1, Chang Su Lim, Yu Shun Tian
1Department of Chemistry, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, 1-Anamdong, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
Abstract:
A series of Zn(2+)-selective two-photon fluorescent probes (AZnM1-AZnN) that had a wide range of dissociation constants (K(d) (TP) =8 nm-12 μM) were synthesized. These probes showed appreciable water solubility (>3 μM), cell permeability, high photostability, pH insensitivity at pH>7, significant two-photon action cross-sections (86-110 GM) upon complexation with Zn(2+), and can detect the Zn(2+) ions in HeLa cells and in living tissue slices of rat hippocampal at a depth of >80 μm without mistargeting and photobleaching problems. These probes can potentially find application in the detection of various amounts of Zn(2+) ions in live cells and intact tissues.
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