Supramolecular glycorhodamine-polymer dot ensembles for the homogeneous, fluorogenic analysis of lectins

We have developed a new series of glycoprobe-polymer dot ensembles for the fluorogenic, homogeneous detection of lectins. Electrostatic self-assembly between positively charged rhodamine-based glycosides and negatively charged poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)/poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) polymer dots produces the ensembles with a quenched fluorescence. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the ensembles exhibited a concentration-dependent fluorescence enhancement with selective lectins over a range of unselective lectins and proteins. This research provides insight into the development of simple fluorogenic probes for homogeneous lectin analyses based on the supramolecular assembly between polymeric nanoparticles and fluorescent glycoprobes.