A highly selective OFF-ON fluorescent sensor for zinc in aqueous solution and living cells

摘要

A novel compound, 2-p-tolyl-lH-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenan-throlinium hydrogenselenite (HMPIP-HSeO_3, Cl), shows a peculiar OFF-ON fluorescent response to Zn~(2+) in aqueous solution and living cells. As one of many transition metal elements that sustain life, zinc(n) has been known as a key component of numerous enzymes and transcription factors and may be a major regulatory ion in the metabolism of cells. Recently, the role of zinc in neurobiology has received significant attention. In the brain, chelatable Zn co-localizes with glutamate in the synaptic vesicles of certain glutamatergic vesicles, and is released when the neurons are active.