title: A Zn2+ fluorescent sensor derived from 2-(pyridin-2-yl)benzoimidazole with ratiometric sensing potential.
abstract: A fluorescent Zn(2+) sensor based on the 2-(2'-pyridinyl)benzoimidazole (2-PBI) fluorophore has been devised by incorporation with a Zn(2+) ionophore, bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine. The sensor (PBITA) demonstrates a Zn(2+)-specific emission shift and enhancement with a 1:1 binding ratio. Due to the Zn(2+)-induced coplanation of 2-PBI via reversion/rotation, PBITA is shown to behave as a ratiometric sensor. The intracellular Zn(2+) imaging ability of the sensor has been tested in HeLa cells using a confocal microscope.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Coordination Chemsitry Institute, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Universitry, Nanjing 210093, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhipeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Changli
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yunling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhengyi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Xiaoliang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Weijiang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Zijian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011725:Pyridines / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: C538974:2-(2'-pyridinyl)benzoimidazole; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011725:Pyridines; C538976:bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine; D015032:Zinc