title: Design, synthesis, and characterization of a calcium-sensitive near infrared dye.
abstract: Intracellular calcium concentration in biological cells varies from 0.1 to 10 muM depending upon cell signaling and disease states. A direct estimate of calcium concentration in cell tissues within this range is possible with a novel calcium-selective reagent 15C5-774. The molecule of 15C5-774 consists of a near-infrared (NIR) chromophore (lambda(max)=774 nm) and a metal complexing moiety of benzo-15-crown-5. The reagent shows a strong calcium binding affinity in a 1:1 ratio and metal selectivity in the order Ca(2+)>Mg(2+)>Sr(2+) approximately K(+) approximately Na(+)>Zn(2+)>Li(+). The high sensitivity is achieved by conducting absorption measurements in the NIR region where background interference from the biological matrix is low.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Center for Drug Design and Advanced Biotechnology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
authors.forename: April L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Christian Mason
authors.forename: Hsiau-Wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Lucjan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Strekowski
authors.forename: Gabor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Patonay
authors.forename: Hoseob
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jenny J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Yang