Single fluorescent probe for reversibly detecting copper ions and cysteine in a pure water system

Abstract

The selective detection of copper ions and cysteine has been very challenging, especially in pure water system. In this work, we have engineered a novel fluorescent probe PI, which remarkably can reversibly detect copper ions (Cu²⁺) and cysteine (Cys) in a pure water system. In addition, the time dependent fluorescence intensity changes of the probe PI revealed that the probe showed higher fluorescence intensity within 2 s in the presence of Cu²⁺ and Cys than in the presence of Cu²⁺. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this probe could effectively detect Cu²⁺ and Cys in living cells. The present study provided a unique strategy in which a single fluorescent probe detected multiple targets.