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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay
07:55

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay

Published on: June 2, 2023

Phosphorescent sensor for biological mobile zinc.

Youngmin You1, Sumin Lee, Taehee Kim

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States. odds2@ewha.ac.kr

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|October 26, 2011
PubMed
Summary

A novel phosphorescent iridium(III) sensor (ZIrF) selectively detects zinc ions in biological samples. This sensor offers high sensitivity and enables imaging of free zinc in live cells, marking a significant advancement in bioimaging.

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay
07:55

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Published on: June 2, 2023

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells
13:04

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells

Published on: May 16, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Photochemistry
  • Bioanalytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Zinc ions play crucial roles in biological systems, but their detection in vivo remains challenging.
  • Development of selective and sensitive sensors is essential for studying zinc's biological functions.
  • Phosphorescent sensors offer advantages like long lifetimes and high signal-to-noise ratios.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel phosphorescent sensor for selective and sensitive detection of zinc ions.
  • To investigate the photophysical mechanism underlying the sensor's response to zinc.
  • To demonstrate the sensor's application in imaging biological free zinc ions in live cells.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis and characterization of an iridium(III) complex (ZIrF) with a zinc-specific receptor.
  • Steady-state and femtosecond spectroscopy to study photophysical properties.
  • Electrochemical techniques and quantum chemical calculations for mechanism elucidation.
  • Confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging for cellular imaging.

Main Results:

  • The ZIrF sensor exhibited a ratiometric phosphorescence response selective for zinc ions.
  • A low detection limit (K(d) = 11 nM) and reversible detection were achieved.
  • The sensor successfully imaged intracellular free zinc ions in live A549 cells.
  • Increased photoluminescence lifetime was observed in zinc-treated cells.

Conclusions:

  • ZIrF is the first phosphorescent sensor capable of detecting zinc ions in biological samples.
  • The sensor provides a sensitive and selective tool for studying zinc's biological roles.
  • This work opens new avenues for phosphorescent sensing in live-cell imaging.