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The present study investigated the analytical capabilities of a new fluorescent chemosensor, named DCHQ5, a phenyl derivative belonging to the family of diaza-crown-hydroxyquinolines, for the quantitative assessment of total intracellular Mg content. The results obtained were compared to the analytical performances of DCHQ1 – the parent probe of the series which so far was the only suitable species for the quantitative assessment of the intracellular total magnesium and showed comparable results to atomic absorption spectroscopy. Different protocols were tested in several cell lines both by flow cytometry and by steady state fluorescence spectroscopy assays. The results obtained support the possibility to use DCHQ5 to accurately quantify the intracellular total Mg in much smaller samples than DCHQ1, also displaying an increased stable intracellular staining. These features, combined with the high fluorescence enhancement upon cation binding, and the possibility to be excited both in the UV and visible region, make DCHQ5 a valuable and versatile analytical tool for Mg assessment in biological samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton and Cu(ii), Zn(ii), Cd(ii) and Pb(ii) binding by ligand H2L, containing two bis(aminoethyl)amine (dien) units connected by a 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) unit has been analyzed by means of potentiometric, UV-vis and fluorescence emission measurements. Considering proton binding, the ligand in its fully deprotonated form, L2−, binds up to four acidic protons in the alkaline pH region. These protonation steps occur on the amine groups, whereas protonation of DCF takes place only below pH 4. In metal complexation, the ligand displays a marked selectivity for Zn(ii) over Cd(ii) and Pb(ii), due to the better accommodation of the smaller and harder Zn(ii) ion within the binding pocket generated by a dien unit and the adjacent deprotonated oxygen. The fluorescence emission study points out that Zn(ii) binding is accompanied by a marked increase of the DCF emission from neutral to slightly alkaline pH values, where protonated forms of the complex are present in solution. The system is weakly emissive at slightly acidic pH values, where Zn(ii) is essentially not bound to the receptor and above pH 9.5, probably due to the formation of the not protonated [ZnL] complex. Cd(ii) binding gives rise to a much less intense increase of the emission only above pH 8.5, whereas Cu(ii) and Pb(ii) complexation leads to fluorescence quenching. Furthermore, the interaction of H2L with cells was investigated to explore its application as a new sensor for the evaluation of cellular Zn(ii) content and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton and Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) binding by ligand H(2)L, containing two bis(aminoethyl)amine (dien) units connected by a 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) unit has been analyzed by means of potentiometric, UV-vis and fluorescence emission measurements. Considering proton binding, the ligand in its fully deprotonated form, L(2-), binds up to four acidic protons in the alkaline pH region. These protonation steps occur on the amine groups, whereas protonation of DCF takes place only below pH 4. In metal complexation, the ligand displays a marked selectivity for Zn(II) over Cd(II) and Pb(II), due to the better accommodation of the smaller and harder Zn(II) ion within the binding pocket generated by a dien unit and the adjacent deprotonated oxygen. The fluorescence emission study points out that Zn(II) binding is accompanied by a marked increase of the DCF emission from neutral to slightly alkaline pH values, where protonated forms of the complex are present in solution. The system is weakly emissive at slightly acidic pH values, where Zn(II) is essentially not bound to the receptor and above pH 9.5, probably due to the formation of the not protonated [ZnL] complex. Cd(II) binding gives rise to a much less intense increase of the emission only above pH 8.5, whereas Cu(II) and Pb(II) complexation leads to fluorescence quenching. Furthermore, the interaction of H(2)L with cells was investigated to explore its application as a new sensor for the evaluation of cellular Zn(II) content and distribution.