A novel platform self-assembled from squaraine-embedded Zn(ii) complexes for selective monitoring of ATP and its level fluctuation in mitotic cells

Abstract

Using multiple interactions, a simple self-assembly based on a Zn(II) coordination compound and squaraine (SQ) demonstrated a selective turn-on fluorescence response to ATP in the near infrared (NIR) region. More importantly, the self-assembly has been successfully applied to ATP imaging in the mitochondria of the gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 and monitoring of level fluctuation of ATP during the mitotic period.