title: Spectroscopic analysis and in vitro imaging applications of a pH responsive AIE sensor with a two-input inhibit function.
abstract: A novel terpyridine derivative formed stable aggregates in aqueous media (DMSO/H2O = 1/99) with dramatically enhanced fluorescence compared to its organic solution. Moreover, the ultra-violet absorption spectra also demonstrated specific responses to the incorporation of water. The yellow emission at 557 nm changed to a solution with intense greenish luminescence only in the presence of protons and it conformed to a molecular logic gate with a two-input INHIBIT function. This molecular-based material could permeate into live cells and remain undissociated in the cytoplasm. The new aggregation induced emission (AIE) pH type bio-probe permitted easy collection of yellow luminescence images on a fluorescent microscope. As designed, it displayed striking green emission in organelles at low internal pH. This feature enabled the self-assembled structure to have a whole new function for the pH detection within the field of cell imaging.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry & Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
authors.forename: Zhan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Fenglong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Qianming
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000737:chemistry*; D019281:Dimerization; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D049449:Luminescence; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D061848:Optical Imaging; D011725:Pyridines / Q000737:chemistry*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
chemical_list: C517923:(2,2'-6',2'')-terpyridine; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011725:Pyridines