A highly selective fluorescent anthracene-based chemosensor for imaging Zn2+ in living cells and zebrafish

• Published in: Inorganic chemistry communications 2020-05, Vol.115, p.107882, Article 107882
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Minh-Hai, Nguyen, Thi-Nguyet, Do, Danh-Quang, Nguyen, Hung-Huy, Phung, Quan-Manh, Thirumalaivasan, Natesan, Wu, Shu-Pao, Dinh, Thi-Hien
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthracene; Cell imaging; Fluorescent sensing; Theoretical calculations; Zebrafish; Zinc
• ISSN: 1387-7003; 1879-0259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2020.107882

A new anthracene-based chemosensor An3 that showed high selectivity and sensitivity towards Zn2+ cation has been prepared. Experimental and theoretical results supported 1:1 and 1:2 binding stoichiomietry between An3 and Zn2+. An3 was applied in fluorescent imaging of Zn2+ in living cells and zebrafish. [Display omitted] •Anthacene-based chemosensor An3 showed high specificity for Zn2+ detection.•Low detection limit of An3 for Zn2+ was determined to be 36 nM.•An3 was successfully applied in in vitro and in vivo imaging of Zn2+.•Theoretical calculations supported 1:1 and 1:2 binding ratio between An3 and Zn2+. A new fluorescent chemosensor (An3) bearing anthracenyl rings was designed and developed for detection of Zn2+. Addition of Zn2+ into An3 gave rise to a fluorescent turn-on response at 424 nm whereas Al3+, Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, K+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+ did not induce any emission intensity enhancement. Furthermore, the probe exhibited high selectivity toward Zn2+ and a very low detection limit (36 nM) based on chelation-enhanced fluorescence. Theoretical calculations revealed the possible formation of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes between An3 and Zn2+. In bioimaging experiments, the chemosensor displayed low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility, rendering it an effective tool for fluorescent visualization of Zn2+ in living cells and zebrafish models.