pKa tuning in quadrupolar-type two-photon ratiometric fluorescent membrane probes

Chem Commun (Camb). 2015 Oct 25;51(83):15245-8. doi: 10.1039/c5cc04573h.

Abstract

Two bolaamphiphilic quadrupoles built from a fluorene core conjugated with azine endgroups were designed and successfully used to stain GUV membranes. Their quadrupolar character induces both a shift of the pKa values close to the physiological pH and large two-photon absorption responses (i.e. over 1000 GM for acidic forms). As such they hold promise as ratiometric two-photon pH probes for monitoring slight variations of pH near cell membranes using two-photon excitation in the NIR region.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemical synthesis
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Molecular Structure
  • Phospholipids / chemistry*
  • Protons*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Phospholipids
  • Protons