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Discrimination and quantification of intracellular biothiols, such as cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), glutathione (GSH) under physiological conditions is significant for academic research and disease diagnosis. A new fluorescent probe (complex 1-Cu 2+ ) for discriminate detection of GSH was prepared by copper ions coordinate with coumarin carbohydrazide Schiff base derivative 1. In suitable buffer solution (CH 3 CN: HEPES = 3:2, v/v) and under appropriate pH condition (pH = 7.2-7.4), the UV-vis spectroscopy experiments showed that compound 1 and copper ion exhibited a 1:1 ratio binding mode and moderate binding ability. Fluorescence quenching of compound 1 was observed when it complexed with Cu 2+ ions. An obviously fluorescence restoration appeared after addition of GSH to the solution of probe, which also exhibited a highly selectivity relative to cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcy) in the amino acid competitive experiments. The minimum detection limit was calculated to 0.12 μM by fluorescent method, which was distinctly below the physiological concentration of GSH in live cells. Its biological application to detect the endogenous GSH was further proved by the HepG2 cell fluorescence image test., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Small-molecule thiols, such as cysteine (CYS) and glutathione (GSH), are essential for maintaining the cellular redox environment and play important roles in regulating various cellular physiological functions. A fluorescence probe (compound 1-Cu2+) for thiols based on coumarin carbohydrazide dinuclear copper complex was developed. Compound 1 was synthesized from the reaction of 7-(diethylamino)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carbohydrazide with 4-tert-butyl-2,6- diformylphenol. Accordingly, the copper complex (compound 1-Cu2+) was prepared by mixing compound 1 with 2 equivalents copper ions. Compound 1 had strong fluorescence while compound 1-Cu2+ hardly possessed fluorescence owing to the quenching nature of paramagnetism Cu2+ to the fluorescence molecule excited state. However, the fluorescence intensity of compound 1-Cu2+ was increased dramatically after the addition of thiol-containing amino acids, but not the other non-sulfhydryl amino acids. UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra indicated that compound 1-Cu2+ had good selectivity and sensitivity for thiols such as glutathione in CH3CN:H2O (3:2, v/v) PBS solution. The fluorescence imaging experiments implied that compound 1-Cu2+ has potential application in thiol-containing amino acids detection in living cells.

Glutathione is the most abundant non-protein thiols compound in cells and plays important metabolic roles. Changes in the amount of glutathione or its metabolic dysregulation can lead to a series of diseases. The determination of glutathione levels is very helpful to the diagnosis and treatment of the related diseases. A coumarin schiff base (compound 1 ) was synthesized from coumarin hydrazide and 2,6-pyridine dicarboxaldehyde and the fluorogenic probe for thiols (compound 1-Cu 2+ ) was prepared by coordinating compound 1 with copper ions. Compound 1 showed strong fluorescence, while compound 1-Cu 2+ hardly had fluorescence due to the paramagnetism and/or photoinduced electron transfer of Cu 2+ . However, after the addition of thiols-containing compounds, the fluorescence of compound 1 was restored. The UV–vis absorption and fluorescence spectra indicated that the fluorogenic probe had good thiols selectivity and sensitivity, particularly for glutathione in CH 3 CN:HEPES (3:2, v/v) buffer. It was successfully applied to the fluorescence imaging detection of glutathione in human cervical squamous cancer cells (SiHa cells). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]