title: Preparation and use of Leadfluor-1, a synthetic fluorophore for live-cell lead imaging.
abstract: Leadfluor-1 (LF1) is a small-molecule fluorescent sensor for detecting lead in biological and environmental samples, including live cells. This dye uses a xanthenone fluorescent scaffold coupled to a dicarboxylate pseudocrown ether receptor to achieve selective detection of Pb(2+) in the presence of biologically relevant metal ions, including divalent calcium, magnesium and zinc. LF1 fluorescence increases by up to 18-fold on binding Pb(2+). In this protocol, we describe the synthesis and application of LF1 to imaging lead accumulation within live cells. The preparation of LF1 is anticipated to take 14-21 d, and the imaging assays can be performed in 1-2 d with cultured cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
authors.forename: Evan W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Qiwen
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000737:chemistry*; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D015394:Molecular Structure
chemical_list: D005452:Fluoresceins; C521885:leadfluor-1; D007854:Lead