A molecular rotor based ratiometric sensor for basic amino acids.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Basic amino acids, arginine and lysine, are crucial for human health and metabolism.
• Existing sensor systems for basic amino acids are limited, often relying on complex molecules and single-wavelength detection, hindering practical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, efficient, and ratiometric sensor system for the selective detection of arginine and lysine.
• To overcome the limitations of existing sensor technologies by employing a novel mechanism and readily available probe molecule.

Main Methods:

• A ratiometric sensor system was constructed based on the dissociation of Thioflavin-T H-aggregates from a heparin surface upon interaction with basic amino acids.
• The sensor utilizes the selective electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions between basic amino acids and heparin, leading to changes in the photophysical properties of Thioflavin-T.
• Detection was achieved through both fluorimetric and colorimetric outputs, enabling dual-mode sensing.

Main Results:

• The sensor system demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity for arginine and lysine, effectively discriminating them from other amino acids.
• The mechanism of Thioflavin-T aggregate dissociation from heparin provided a ratiometric response, a significant advantage over single-wavelength detection methods.
• The system showed robustness by responding effectively in complex biological media, such as serum samples.

Conclusions:

• This study presents a simple, cost-effective, and dual-mode ratiometric sensor for detecting basic amino acids.
• The developed sensor offers practical advantages over existing methods due to its simplicity, use of an inexpensive probe, and applicability in biological samples.
• The findings hold significant potential for advancing diagnostic tools and metabolic monitoring related to arginine and lysine levels.