Lysosome-Targeting Fluorescence Sensor for Sequential Detection and Imaging of Cu²⁺ and Homocysteine in Living Cells

Abstract

A conjugated polymer-based fluorescence sensor, namely, PTNPy, was constructed on the basis of a polythiophene scaffold coupled with dimethylpyridylamine (DPA) groups in side chains for the consecutive detection and quantification of Cu 2+ and Hcy in a perfect aqueous medium. A dramatic fluorescence quenching of PTNPy by the addition of Cu 2+ was observed in Tris–HCl buffer solution (2 mM, pH 7.4), demonstrating a quick (<1 min) and highly selective response to Cu 2+ with a low limit of detection of 6.79 nM. Subsequently, the Cu 2+ -quenched fluorescence of PTNPy can be completely recovered by homocysteine (Hcy), showing excellent selectivity to Hcy over other competitive species such as cysteine and glutathione. Thanks to the low cytotoxicity and lysosomal targeting ability of PTNPy, it was further applied as an optical sensor for the sequential imaging of Cu 2+ and Hcy in HeLa cells. More importantly, Hcy concentration was linearly related to the fluorescence intensity of PTNPy in living cells, demonstrating huge potential for real-time monitoring the fluctuation of Hcy levels in living cells.

Zn(II)‐Dipicolylamine‐Attached Amphiphilic Polythiophene for Quantitative Pattern Recognition of Oxyanions in Mixtures

“…Very few articles have reported copolymers of dpa‐attached thiophenes, [8o,11] and a homopolymer of a Zn II ‐dpa‐attached thiophene has never been reported to the best of our knowledge. Hence, we aimed to establish a synthetic methodology for a novel homopolythiophene functionalized with a Zn II ‐dpa unit ( 1 poly ⋅ Zn ).…”

Review on Lysosomal Metal Ion Detection Using Fluorescent Probes

“…The conjugated polymer PTNPy (11) was designed and synthesized by Lu and co-workers for rapid and progressive detection of Cu 2+ and homocysteine (Hcy) in an aqueous solution (Figure 5g). 17 PTNPy consists of three essential components, namely a polythiophene backbone serving as a fluorophore, dimethylpyridylamine (DPA) acting as a coordinating site for Cu 2+ ions, and quaternary ammonium salt groups enhancing the water solubility. The chelation of Cu 2+ with PTNPy resulted in the quenching of PTNPy's fluorescence (Figure 5h).…”