Rhodamine-anchored poly(norbornene) for fluorescent sensing of ATP

A fluorescent poly (norbornene)-based copolymer probe P1, which was obtained via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a PEG-anchored norbornene monomer NB-PEG with a rhodamine-functionalized monomer NB-RB, has been designed and synthesized. Owing to its amphiphilic property, copolymer P1 selfassembles nanostructure aggregations in aqueous solution with a weak emission. Upon addition of ATP, visual color change from colorless to red and a large fluorescence enhancement were observed for the ring-opening of rhodamine spirolactam mechanism. This probe shows a good photostability, and has been successfully applied for imaging of ATP level in living SMMC cells.

Automated summary

The fluorescent polymer-based copolymer probe P1, synthesized through ROMP, self-assembles into nanostructures in aqueous solution with weak emission due to its amphiphilic property. Upon ATP addition, there is visual color change from colorless to red and significant fluorescence enhancement, attributed to the ring-opening mechanism of rhodamine spirolactam. This stable probe has been successfully used for imaging ATP levels in living SMMC cells.