New fluorescent probe for Zn2+ imaging in living cells and plants

Abstract

A new fluorescent probe, L1 based on 8-aminoquinoline, was designed and synthesized. It exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity toward Zn²⁺ over other common metal ions (especially Cd²⁺). Under physiological conditions (pH 7.0), the probe displays an 8-fold fluorescence turn-on response to Zn²⁺. Furthermore, using laser scanning confocal techniques, it can be used to effectively monitor and distinguish Zn²⁺ from Cd²⁺ in living cells and plant tissues.