Cationic Probe Research Articles

Apparent “mild depolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane” as a result of a possible generation of the outer membrane potential

Recently reported kinase-linked mild depolarization of mitochondria, which prevents the generation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disappears in various organs of the old mice, has been assumed to represent a crucial component of the mitochondrial anti-aging program. To measure mitochondrial inner membrane potential (IMP), the authors used fluorescent probe safranin O+. It is widely accepted that the accumulation of such cationic probes in the mitochondrial matrix depends exclusively on IMP, thus completely ignoring the possibility of the outer membrane potential (OMP) generation. However, computational analysis performed in the presented work suggests that the kinase-linked generation of the positive OMP might take place under the described conditions, because the measured potential includes the algebraic sum of both IMP and OMP. Alternatively to the suggested mild depolarization of mitochondria, the reported experimental data might reflect mainly a change of the positive OMP generated by the VDAC-kinase complexes. We also demonstrate that the reported in the literature mitochondrial hyperpolarization induced by erastin (known to prevent VDAC-tubulin interactions) and the depolarization caused by the mitochondrial VDAC knockdowns in the cancer cells might actually represent a decrease or increase, respectively, of the magnitude of the kinase-linked positive OMP. This is consistent with our hypothesis that VDAC voltage gating by the kinase-linked metabolically-dependent OMP plays a very important physiological role in regulating the cell energy metabolism under normal and pathological conditions, in the maintenance of the cell death resistance and even in the genetic aging program.

Development of a cationic aggregate induced emission fluorescent probe for detection of aromatase

Tetraphenylethylene with electron withdrawing pyridinium cations and cyano groups were designed and synthesized. Cyanoprobe 2 has a typical Aggregate Induced Emission effect under physiological conditions, while cation probe 1 cannot aggregate luminescence due to its higher hydrophilicity. When interacting with aromatase, probe 1 showed obvious fluorescence change, but probe 2 did not. Under the same conditions, or even under the interference of various factors, probe 1 can recognize aromatase with high sensitivity. Probe 1 can rapidly light up aromatase-expressing cells. Probe 1 have the properties of aromatase inhibitors, which can inhibit the growth of tumor cells. The design ideas of cationic AIE fluorescent probes in this paper are expected to be applied to other targets.

Construction of naphthalimide-based fluorescent amphiphilic aggregates and sensitive detection of persulfate and pyrophosphate anions

Detection of important anions is significant and challenging. Persulfate (S2O82-) and pyrophosphate (P2O74-) are two specific anions attracting extensive attentions as they have important effects on biological processes and environmental systems. A fluorescent amphiphilic molecule based on naphthalimide derivative was synthesized and it can form aggregates in aqueous solution. The fluorescent aggregates have shown selective fluorescence quenching responses to both S2O82- and P2O74- over a series of other anions. Moreover, the sensitivity is very high, and the detection limits of S2O82- and P2O74- are determined to be 5.2 nM and 19 nM, respectively. Time-resolved fluorescence decay measurements realized that the quenching is static in nature that could be due to the electrostatic interaction between the anions and cationic probes. Dynamic light scattering measurements revealed that the two anions have different effects on the aggregate size change, which could be further used to discriminate between the two anions with the aid of Tyndall effect test. Moreover, the probe aggregates can also detect the two anions in tap water and are used to prepare paper sensor for fast visual detection of the two anion analytes.

Evaluation of Blood-CSF Barrier Transport by Quantitative Real Time Fluorescence Microscopy.

Transporters at the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier (BCSFB) play active roles in removing drugs and toxins from the CSF. The goal of this study is to develop a fluorescence microscopy approach to quantitatively study the transepithelial transport processes at the murine BCSFB in real time. Choroid plexus (CP) tissues were isolated from mouse lateral ventricles and incubated with anionic (fluorescein-methotrexate, 8-fluorescein-cAMP) or cationic (IDT307) fluorescent probes. The CSF-to-blood transport was imaged and quantified using compartmental segmentation and digital image analysis. Real time images were captured and analyzed to obtain kinetic information and identify the rate-limiting step. The effect of transporter inhibitors was also evaluated. The transport processes of fluorescent probes can be captured and analyzed digitally. The intra- and inter- animal variability were 20.4% and 25.7%, respectively. Real time analysis showed distinct transport kinetics and rate-limiting step for anionic and cationic probes. A CP efflux index was proposed to distinguish between transepithelial flux and intracellular accumulation. Rifampin and MK571 decreased the overall transepithelial transport of anionic probes by more than 90%, indicating a possible involvement of organic anion transporting polypeptides (Oatps) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (Mrps). A CP isolation method was described, and a quantitative fluorescence imaging approach was developed to evaluate CSF-to-blood transport in mouse CP. The method is consistent, reproducible, and capable of tracking real time transepithelial transport with temporal and spatial resolution. The approach can be used to evaluate transport mechanisms, assess tissue drug accumulation, and assay potential drug-drug interactions at the BCSFB.

A New Cationic Fluorescent Probe for HSO3- Based on Bisulfite Induced Aggregation Self-Assembly.

In comparison with the numerous studies that have centered on developing molecular frameworks for the functionalization of fluorescent materials, less research has addressed the influence of the side chains, despite such appendages contributing significantly to the properties and applications of fluorescent materials. In this work, a new series of cationic fluorescent probes with AIE characteristics have been developed, which exhibit unique sensitivity for charge-diffusion anions, namely HSO3−, via the interactions of ions and the cooperation of the controllable hydrophobicity. The impact of the alkyl chain length attached at the cationic probes suggested that the fluorescent intensity and sensitivity of the probes could be partially enhanced by adjusting their aggregation tendency through the action of the hydrophobic effect under aqueous conditions. DLS and SEM images indicated that different particle sizes and new morphologies of the probes were formed in the anion-recognition-triggered self-assembly process, which could be attributed to the composite effect of electrostatic actions, Van der Waals forces and π-π stacking.

Cyanine Masking: A Strategy to Test Functional Group Effects on Antibody Conjugate Targeting.

Conjugates of small molecules and antibodies are broadly employed diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Appending a small molecule to an antibody often significantly impacts the properties of the resulting conjugate. Here, we detail a systematic study investigating the effect of various functional groups on the properties of antibody-fluorophore conjugates. This was done through the preparation and analysis of a series of masked heptamethine cyanines (CyMasks)-bearing amides with varied functional groups. These were designed to exhibit a broad range of physical properties, and include hydrophobic (-NMe2), pegylated (NH-PEG-8 or NH-PEG-24), cationic (NH-(CH2)2NMe3+), anionic (NH-(CH2)2SO3-), and zwitterionic (N-(CH2)2NMe3+)-(CH2)3SO3-) variants. The CyMask series was appended to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and analyzed for the effects on tumor targeting, clearance, and non-specific organ uptake. Among the series, zwitterionic and pegylated dye conjugates had the highest tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) and a low liver-to-background ratio. By contrast, the cationic and zwitterionic probes had high tumor signal and high TBR, although the latter also exhibited an elevated liver-to-background ratio (LBR). Overall, these studies provide a strategy to test the functional group effects and suggest that zwitterionic substituents possess an optimal combination of high tumor signal, TBR, and low LBR. These results suggest an appealing strategy to mask hydrophobic payloads, with the potential to improve the properties of bioconjugates in vivo.

Live Tissue Imaging Reveals Distinct Transcellular Pathways for Organic Cations and Anions at the Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier.

Formed by the choroid plexus epithelial (CPE) cells, the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) plays an active role in removing drugs, toxins, and metabolic wastes from the brain. Several organic cation and anion transporters are expressed in the CPE cells, but how they functionally mediate transepithelial transport of organic cations and anions remain unclear. In this study, we visualized the transcellular transport of fluorescent organic cation and organic anion probes using live tissue imaging in freshly isolated mouse choroid plexuses (CPs). The cationic probe, 4-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-methylpyridinium iodide (IDT307) was transported into CPE cells at the apical membrane and highly accumulated in mitochondria. Consistent with the lack of expression of organic cation efflux transporters, there was little efflux of IDT307 into the blood capillary space. Furthermore, IDT307 uptake and intracellular accumulation was attenuated by approximately 70% in CP tissues from mice with targeted deletion of the plasma membrane monoamine transporter (Pmat). In contrast, the anionic probe fluorescein-methotrexate (FL-MTX) was rapidly transported across the CPE cells into the capillary space with little intracellular accumulation. Rifampicin, an inhibitor of organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs), completely blocked FL-MTX uptake into the CPE cells whereas MK-571, a pan-inhibitor of multidrug resistance associated proteins (MRPs), abolished basolateral efflux of FL-MTX. In summary, our results suggest distinct transcellular transport pathways for organic cations and anions at the BCSFB and reveal a pivotal role of PMAT, OATP and MRP transporters in organic cation and anion transport at the blood-cerebrospinal fluid interface. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Live tissue imaging revealed that while organic cations are transported from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the choroid plexus epithelial cells by plasma membrane monoamine transporter without efflux into the blood, amphipathic anions in the CSF are efficiently transported across the BCSFB through the collaborated function of apical organic anion transporting polypeptides and basolateral multidrug resistance associated proteins. These findings contribute to a mechanistic understanding of the molecular and cellular pathways for choroid plexus clearance of solutes from the brain.

Dynamic Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Living Cells via a Two-Stage Cascade Recognition Process.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is crucial for the regulation of multiple cellular processes, such as cellular responses to stress and protein synthesis, folding, and posttranslational modification. Nevertheless, monitoring ER physiological activity remains challenging due to the lack of powerful detection methods. Herein, we built a two-stage cascade recognition process to achieve dynamic visualization of ER stress in living cells based on a fluorescent carbon dot (CD) probe, which is synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method without additional modification. The fluorescent CD probe enables two-stage cascade ER recognition by first accumulating in the ER as the positively charged and lipophilic surface of the CD probe allows its fast crossing of multiple membrane barriers. Next, the CD probe can specifically anchor on the ER membrane via recognition between boronic acids and o-dihydroxy groups of mannose in the ER lumen. The two-stage cascade recognition process significantly increases the ER affinity of the CD probe, thus allowing the following evaluation of ER stress by tracking autophagy-induced mannose transfer from the ER to the cytoplasm. Thus, the boronic acid-functionalized cationic CD probe represents an attractive tool for targeted ER imaging and dynamic tracking of ER stress in living cells.

Hot-Band Absorption of a Cationic RNA Probe Enables Visualization of ΔΨm via the Controllable Anti-Stokes Shift Emission

Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) is an important biophysical parameter playing central roles in cell apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and other biological and pathological processes. Herein, we have rationally designed and fabricated a unique fluorescent probe for convenient ΔΨm visualization based on hot-band absorption and controllable anti-Stokes shift emission. The robust probe was excitable via hot-band absorption and emitted anti-Stokes upconversion emission and Stokes downconversion fluorescence simultaneously. The anti-Stokes emission could be efficiently inhibited upon the binding to RNA. The cationic probe targeted mitochondria in living cells with high ΔΨm and displayed both anti-Stokes green emission and ordinary red fluorescence. After the decrease of ΔΨm, the probe immigrated out of mitochondria to RNA and nucleolus, which showed only red emission owing to the inhibition of anti-Stokes fluorescence. In this manner, the ΔΨm could be visualized in dual-color mode. The probe enabled clearly monitoring the reversible changes in ΔΨm and was successfully employed to visualize oxidative damage of living cells. The decrease of ΔΨm in living tissues was also successfully observed with the newly designed probe.

A sensitive zinc probe operating via enhancement of excited-state intramolecular charge transfer.

Novel highly sensitive fluorescent probes for zinc cations based on the diketopyrrolopyrrole scaffold were designed and synthesized. Large bathochromic shifts (≈80 nm) of fluorescence are observed when the Zn2+-recognition unit (di-(2-picolyl)amine) is bridged with the fluorophore possessing an additional pyridine unit able to participate in the coordination process. This effect originates from the dipolar architecture and the increasing electron-withdrawing properties of the diketopyrrolopyrrole core upon addition of the cation. The new, greenish-yellow emitting probes, which operate via modulation of intramolecular charge transfer, are very sensitive to the presence of Zn2+. Introduction of a morpholine unit in the diketopyrrolopyrrole structure induces a selective six-fold increase of the emission intensity upon zinc coordination. Importantly, the presence of other divalent biologically relevant metal cations has negligible effects and typically even at a 100-fold higher concentration of Mg2+/Zn2+, the effect is comparable. Computational studies rationalize the strong bathochromic shift upon Zn2+-complexation. Decorating the probes with the triphenylphosphonium cation and morpholine unit enables selective localization in the mitochondria and the lysosome of cardiac H9C2 cells, respectively.

Unbiased Millivolts Assay of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Intact Cells.

The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔψM) is the major component of the bioenergetic driving force responsible for most cellular ATP produced, and it controls a host of biological processes. In intact cells, assay readouts with commonly used fluorescence ΔψM probes are distorted by factors other than ΔψM. Here, we describe a protocol to calculate both ΔψM and plasma membrane potential (ΔψP) in absolute millivolts in intact single cells, or in populations of adherent, cultured cells. Our approach generates unbiased data that allows comparison of ΔψM between cell types with different geometry and ΔψP, and to follow ΔψM in time when ΔψP fluctuates. The experimental paradigm results in fluorescence microscopy time courses using a pair of cationic and anionic probes with internal calibration points that are subsequently computationally converted to millivolts on an absolute scale. The assay is compatible with wide field, confocal or two-photon microscopy. The method given here is optimized for a multiplexed, partial 96-well microplate format to record ΔψP and ΔψM responses for three consecutive treatment additions.

A Near-Infrared Cationic Fluorescent Probe Based on Thieno[3,2-B]Thiophene for Rna Imaging and Long-Term Cellular Tracing

A Near-Infrared Cationic Fluorescent Probe Based on Thieno[3,2-B]Thiophene for Rna Imaging and Long-Term Cellular Tracing

Benzodifuran-based fluorescent brighteners: A novel platform for plant cell wall imaging

Herein we designed three novel fluorescent brightening agents based on a benzodifuran skeleton. The compounds are colorless fluorophores emitting in the blue region with an improved water solubility and ability to interact with living cells. A complete understanding of the emission mechanisms was achieved by Density Functional Theory study based on X-ray crystallographic analysis. The fluorescence quantum yields were measured in different solvents and at different pH values. The ability of the different fluorophores to stain cell compartments of plant root samples was tested in water- and glycerol-based solutions. Through fluorescence microscopy technique two probes with a different functionalized branching chain proved to be efficient stains for plant root cell wall. The cationic probe has no harmful effect on plant tissues and is suitable for in vivo fluorescent visualization of plant root cell boundaries. This study sheds light on the potential use of brighteners containing a central benzodifuran core as tools for imaging of fixed and alive plant tissues.

2D IR spectra of the intrinsic vibrational probes of ionic liquid from dispersion corrected DFT-MD simulations

We present the vibrational spectral profile of the intrinsic cationic (N-H) and anionic (C-O) probe stretch modes in methylammonium formate (MAF) using first principles molecular dynamics simulations in conjunction with the density functional theory (DFT) approaches. All simulations were performed employing Becke-Lee-Yang-Parr (BLYP) and Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functionals, using three types of van der Waals (vdW) dispersion-corrected representations (D2, D3, and dispersion-corrected atom-centered one-electron potentials) and two values of plane-wave cut-off (300 and 600 Ry). The long-range electrostatic interactions, directional hydrogen bonds and non-directional van der Waals (vdW) dispersion forces are required to accurately interpret the interionic interactions in the protic ionic liquid, MAF. We compute the 2D IR correlation spectra from the wavelet-derived instantaneous frequencies obtained at each timeframe applying the cumulant expansion truncated at the second order to measure the dynamics of vibrational spectral diffusion. Here, we investigate the effects of electronic structure parameters on the spectral bands of the 2D IR contour plot. The spectral bands for both the N-H and CO stretching vibrations attain a round shape by 1 ps, indicating the loss of frequency correlation irrespective of the type of BLYP or PBE-based functionals. Further, the diagonal linewidth of the 2D IR spectral band agrees with the FWHM (full width at half maxima) of the calculated normalized vibrational stretch frequency distribution. Moreover, this study also finds the reason behind the coalescence of the symmetric and antisymmetric C-O stretches in the computed 2D IR spectra. Besides, these computational results may attract the attention of the experimental spectroscopists as it provides molecular-level interpretation and detailed ultrafast time-resolved spectral information of the intrinsic stretching vibrations and associated dynamics of the protic ionic liquid (PIL). Herein, we inspect the quality of different density functionals along with vdW dispersion corrections. However, even though the experimental data is not available for direct comparison of the results, we finally conclude that the inclusion of the effects of dispersion interactions provides a better estimation of the spectroscopic properties.

Water-soluble cationic boronate probe based on coumarin imidazolium scaffold: Synthesis, characterization, and application to cellular peroxynitrite detection

Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) has been implicated in numerous pathologies associated with an inflammatory component, but its selective and sensitive detection in biological settings remains a challenge. Here, the development of a new water-soluble and cationic boronate probe based on a coumarin-imidazolium scaffold (CI-Bz-BA) for the fluorescent detection of ONOO− in cells is reported. The chemical reactivity of the CI-Bz-BA probe toward selected oxidants known to react with the boronate moiety was characterized, and the suitability of the probe for the direct detection of ONOO− in cell-free and cellular system is reported. Oxidation of the probe results in the formation of the primary hydroxybenzyl product (CI-Bz-OH), followed by the spontaneous elimination of the quinone methide moiety to produce the secondary phenol (CI–OH), which is accompanied by a red shift in the fluorescence emission band from 405 nm to 481 nm. CI-Bz-BA reacts with ONOO− stoichiometrically with a rate constant of ∼1 × 106 M-1s-1 to form, in addition to the major phenolic product CI–OH, the minor nitrated product CI-Bz-NO2, which is not formed by other oxidants tested or via myeloperoxidase-catalyzed oxidation/nitration. Both CI–OH and CI-Bz-NO2 products were also formed in the presence of cogenerated fluxes of nitric oxide and superoxide radical anion produced during decomposition of a SIN-1 donor. Using RAW 264.7 cells, we demonstrate the ability of the probe to report endogenously produced ONOO−via fluorescence measurements, including plate reader real time monitoring and two-photon fluorescence imaging. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses of cell extracts and media confirmed the formation of both CI–OH and CI-Bz-NO2 in macrophages activated to produce ONOO−. We propose the use of a combination of real-time monitoring of probe oxidation using fluorimetry and fluorescence microscopy with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-based product identification for rigorous detection and quantitative analyses of ONOO− in biological systems.

Front Cover: One Scaffold, Different Organelle Sensors: pH‐Activable Fluorescent Probes for Targeting Live Microglial Cell Organelles (ChemBioChem 9/2022)**

One scaffold – different organelle sensors: The structure-organelle relationship (SOR) of an important synthetic intermediate targeting the nucleus and its transformation into other pH-activable fluorescent probes is demonstrated. The fluorescent probes were synthesized using a single synthetic route. As shown in the cover picture, the assembly line illustrates that a common synthetic intermediate (rectangle shape) was transformed into another molecule (triangle or hexagonal shape) in a one-step reaction to target specific cell organelles in live microglial cells. The common intermediate targets the cell nucleus, the cationic probe targets mitochondria, whereas the amine-containing probe with pH-activable property targets acidic lysosomes. The graphic was created by Ryann Davis. More information can be found in the Communication by G. Chopra et al.

Role of Natural Antioxidant Products in Colorectal Cancer Disease: A Focus on a Natural Compound Derived from Prunus spinosa, Trigno Ecotype.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is on the rise in industrialized countries, which is why it is important to find new compounds that are effective, with little or no adverse health effects. CRC arises from some cells of the epithelium which, following a series of genetic or epigenetic mutations, obtain a selective advantage. This work consists of a review on endogenous and exogenous antioxidant products that may have an efficacy in the treatment of CRC and an experimental study, in which the treatment was carried out with a natural compound with antitumor and antiproliferative activity, Prunus spinosa Trigno ecotype, patented by us, on HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cell line. The superoxide content was quantified after the treatments at different concentrations (2, 5, or 10 mg/mL) by means of the DHR123 probe; loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential with the tetramethylrodamine methyl ester (TMRM) cationic probe and reduced glutathione content (GSH) from monochlorobimane (MCB). This study revealed the importance of a careful choice of the concentration of the natural compound to be used in the CRC, due to the presence of a paradoxical effect, both antioxidant and pro-oxidant, depending on the different physiological conditions of the cell.

Membrane-Activated Fluorescent Probe for High-Fidelity Imaging of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential.

Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) is a key indicator of cell health or injury due to its vital roles in adenosine 5'-triphosphate synthesis. Thus, monitoring ΔΨm is of great significance for the assessment of cell status, diagnosis of diseases, and medicament screening. Cationic fluorescent probes suffer from severe photobleaching or false positive signals due to the luminescence of the probe on non-mitochondria. Herein, we report a lipophilic cationic fluorescent probe [1-methyl-2-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)styryl)-β-naphthothiazol-1-ium trifluoromethanesulfonate (TPE-NT)] with the features of aggregation-induced emission and intramolecular charge transfer for imaging ΔΨm in live cells. TPE-NT is enriched on the surface of the mitochondrial inner membrane due to the negative ΔΨm, and its fluorescence is activated in the high-viscosity microenvironment. The false positive signals of emission from TPE-NT on non-mitochondria are therefore effectively eliminated. Moreover, TPE-NT exhibits a Stokes shift of >200 nm, near-infrared (∼675 nm) emission, excellent photostability, and low cytotoxicity, which facilitate real-time imaging in live cells. Cell imaging confirmed that the probe can rapidly and reliably report mitochondrial depolarization (decrement of ΔΨm) during cell damage caused by CCCP and H2O2 as well as mitochondrial polarization (increment of ΔΨm) by oligomycin. Furthermore, the probe successfully detected the reduction of ΔΨm in these cell models of hypoxia, heat damage, acidification, aging, inflammation, mitophagy, and apoptosis caused by hypoxia, heatstroke, lactate/pyruvate, doxorubicin, lipopolysaccharide, rapamycin, monensin, and nystatin, respectively.

A porphyrin platform for ratiometric fluorescence monitoring of Zn2+ ion

An innovative ratiometric-type fluorescent chemosensor (SP), which appending a 3-picolyl thiourea pendant to a porphyrin fluorophore, has been synthesized for Zn2+ monitoring in aqueous buffer and in biological samples. SP behaved a Zn2+-selective ratiometric change in emission over a broad pH range with a 1:1 stoichiometry. The peculiar and strong coordination ability between Zn2+ and nitrogen atoms facilitating SP to capture Zn2+ via an axial ligation. Spectrofluorimetric titration, NMR analysis, mass spectrometry, and structure derivation further confirmed the proposed pentacoordinated binding mode between SP and Zn2+. Advantages of the SP probe also include a low detection limit, a small dissociation constant, high selectivity and reversibility. Benefiting from the remarkable analytical performance, low cytotoxicity as well as excellent photostability, ratiometric imaging of exogenous Zn2+ fluctuation in live cells is realized with the as-prepared probe. Moreover, SP is able to visualize the endogenous Zn2+ distribution during the development of zebrafish larval. The present strategy may inspire and stimulate the molecular design of more cation probes involves other particular coordination modes.

Poly(styrene-sulfonate) hosted Thioflavin-T aggregates: A turn-on and ratiometric sensing platform for ATP recognition

Sensitive and selective recognition of Adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) is considered very important due to its crucial roles in various metabolic pathways and biological processes. Most of the developed sensor platform for ATP suffers from poor solubility in the aqueous medium, respond via single wavelength based measurements or have complicated synthesis procedures for employed probes, which are some of the major disadvantages. Consequently, to address these limitations, herein, we report a ratiometric fluorescence sensor for the detection of ATP, on the basis of interaction between an anionic polyelectrolyte, poly(styrene-sulfonate) (PSS) and a molecular rotor based cationic probe, Thioflavin-T (ThT). The developed sensor platform operates by the fluorescence turn-off response of the fluorescent ThT-PSS assembly on the introduction of Cu2+ (disassembly) followed by the turn-on response on interaction with ATP (reassembly) that enables it to act as a sensing platform for the ratiometric identification of ATP. Overall, the developed sensor platform offers a simple, label-free, sensitive and highly selective recognition of ATP with LOD of 3.3 μM over the linear range of 0–260 μM in water. Importantly, the response of the developed sensor platform towards ATP in the serum sample with LOD of 10.1 μM indicates the potential of real-life utilization of this probe in near future.