Ratiometric Fluorescent Pattern for Sensing Proteins Using Aqueous Polymer-Pyrene/γ-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes.

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Fluorescent sensors are crucial for detecting biomolecules.
• Distinguishing between different protein types remains a challenge.
• Inclusion complexes offer unique platforms for molecular recognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a ratiometric fluorescent sensor for protein detection and differentiation.
• To utilize the dissociation of polymer-pyrene/γ-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes for sensing.
• To achieve tunable selectivity and sensitivity in protein sensing.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of aqueous polymer-pyrene via atom transfer radical polymerization.
• Formation of polymer-pyrene/γ-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes exhibiting excimer emission.
• Detection of nonmetalloproteins via inclusion complex dissociation and ratiometric fluorescence changes.
• Detection of metalloproteins via fluorescence quenching due to energy transfer.

Main Results:

• The developed inclusion complexes showed distinct responses to different proteins.
• Nonmetalloproteins induced dissociation, altering pyrene excimer/monomer emission.
• Metalloproteins quenched pyrene fluorescence via energy transfer.
• Sensor selectivity and sensitivity were tunable by altering polymer type and chain length.

Conclusions:

• A versatile and selective fluorescent platform for protein sensing was established.
• The ratiometric sensing mechanism allows for reliable protein detection.
• The tunable nature of the sensor holds promise for various protein analysis applications.