An Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer Mechanism-Based Reactive Probe for Ratiometric Fluorescence Detection...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Epinephrine (EPI), or adrenaline, plays a role in the sympathetic nervous system.
• EPI is implicated in the progression of serious diseases such as cancers, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.
• A sensitive and selective fluorescence probe for EPI detection is urgently needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a ratiometric fluorescence probe for detecting epinephrine (EPI) under physiological conditions.
• To investigate the probe's selectivity and sensitivity for EPI detection.
• To demonstrate the probe's utility in biological samples, including live cells.

Main Methods:

• Development of an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT)-based reactive probe, HBT-EPI.
• Utilizing the nucleophilic attack of EPI on the probe's carbonothioate site.
• Employing confocal imaging for detection in live cells.

Main Results:

• HBT-EPI successfully enables ratiometric fluorescent detection of EPI.
• The probe exhibits high selectivity for EPI over other catecholamine neurotransmitters.
• A detection limit of 1 µM for EPI was achieved, with successful application in live-cell imaging.

Conclusions:

• The developed HBT-EPI probe provides a sensitive and selective method for EPI detection.
• This probe facilitates ratiometric fluorescence detection of EPI in physiological environments and live cells.
• HBT-EPI holds potential for further research into EPI's role in disease pathogenesis.