On-off-on fluorescence detection for biomolecules by a fluorescent cage through host-guest complexation in water

Detection of nucleoside derivatives has paramount importance because they are the essential biomolecular units for all life. Herein, we report a host-guest approach by using a fluorescent tetraphenylethenebased octacationic cage as host and 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid trisodium salt (HPTS) as guest and fluorescent indicator to form non-fluorescent 1:1:1 host-(endo-exo)guest complex in water. This new host-(endo-exo)guest complex can be successfully used for detecting nucleosides (e.g., ATP and GTP), DNA (e.g., sm-DNA), and antibiotics (e.g., Penicillin G) with off-on fluorescence response via a competitive hostguest exchange with HPTS as exo-guest in water. Furthermore, this on-off-on fluorescent host-guest complex is also used for cell imaging based on ATP concentration in HeLa cells. Therefore, this study not only provides insight into the construction of a supramolecular probe with on-off-on fluorescence via host-guest complexation and exchange in solution, but also realizes a universal method for detecting and monitoring biomolecules. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Automated summary

This study reports a new host-guest approach for detecting nucleoside derivatives and other biomolecules, achieving fluorescence activation through host-guest competitive exchange, and applying it in cell imaging. The study not only provides insights into constructing supramolecular probes but also realizes a universal method for detecting biomolecules.