Subcellular localised small molecule fluorescent probes to image mobile Zn²⁺

Abstract

A number of recently developed subcellular localised small molecule fluorescent probes to image mobile Zn2+ are reviewed in this perspective.

Pyrene-Based AIEE Active Nanoprobe for Zn2+ and Tyrosine Detection Demonstrated by DFT, Bioimaging, and Organic Thin-Film Transistor

“…It also plays a vital role in DNA synthesis, neural signal transmission, gene transcription, and apoptosis. − Moreover, Zn 2+ disorder usually leads to severe diseases, such as metabolic disorder, Alzheimer disease, cerebral ischemia, infantile diarrhea, and epilepsy. − Therefore, to detect the Zn 2+ present in biological and environmental samples, diverse tactics have been proposed, such as electrochemistry, ion selective membrane, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). − However, these techniques are limited in real applications due to the cost, sample pretreatment requirement, and time consumption. On the contrary, fluorescent probes toward Zn 2+ detection are rather unique due to their low-cost, high sensitivity, and real-time bioimaging applications. − Thus, the design of such fluorescent probes is still highly anticipated. If the fluorescent probe has been demonstrated with utility in the complex mediated specific amino acid sensing, it can be attested as an exceptional candidate. − Among those amino acids, tyrosine is an essential one that plays an important role in the production of neurochemicals, such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine .…”

Zinc in Prostate Health and Disease: A Mini Review

“…The authors also provide a review of unique Zn binding sites in enzymes associated with catalytic, co-catalytic, and structural functions as well as the major Zn protein groups such as matrix metalloproteinases, metallothionines (which may also contain cadmium (Cd), Cu, Fe or mercury (Hg)), and the gene regulatory proteins. Metallothionines in particular act like a type of reservoir for Zn 2+ ions and are capable of releasing them under oxidative stress conditions [ 11 ].…”

“…While the majority of Zn 2+ is bound forms, there is a picomolar range existence of free Zn 2+ found in the cytosol known for their intra- and intercellular communication [ 201 ]. Due to the importance of Zn in health, small molecule fluorescent Zn 2+ probes are being tested to extend the evaluation of the cellular/subcellular Zn distribution and understanding of mechanisms taking place with dysfunctional Zn homeostasis in the prostate [ 11 ].…”

Cell-membrane-targeted near-infrared fluorescent probe for detecting extracellular ATP

“…14,15 Combined with fluorescence imaging technology, small-molecule fluorescent probes are used for non-destructive detection of target molecules in biological systems and can realize dynamic monitoring of in situ biomolecules and biological processes in vitro and in vivo. 16,17 In order to detect ATP, several small-molecule fluorescent ATP sensors have been built which mainly contain mitochondriatargeted, cytoplasm-targeted and lysosome-targeted fluorescent ATP probes. According to the structural characteristics, ATP fluorescence chemosensors are categorized as Zn(II) metal ions based on their bonding site type (Zn-DPA).…”