Abstract
AbstractTwo novel fluorogenic probes (HGMem‐2 and −3) for detecting Hg2+ were designed, synthesized and characterized. Probes based on a commercially available fluorophore (fluorescein) with high brightness were equipped with/without a photolabile group (2‐nitrobenzyl group), a membrane‐anchoring unit (cholesterol) and a Hg2+‐reactive moiety. Taking advantage of the hydrophobicity of the cholesterol group in the probe, a paper‐based device spotted with HGMem‐2 was developed as a Hg2+ paper indicators, and showed feasibility in complex cell lysate. Only upon UV photolysis, HGMem‐3 displayed more than 1900‐fold fluorescence enhancement with the addition of Hg2+. Furthermore, they exhibited pronounced Hg2+‐selective fluorogenic signalling behavior over other 45 analytes. Importantly, HGMem‐3 was utilized to specifically visualize Hg2+ near cell membrane in live HepG2 cells with high spatiotemporal resolution, avoiding the influence of reactive species outside cells successfully. Hence, our newly developed membrane‐anchored Hg2+ sensors provide useful tools for versatile applications in biological and environmental research.
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