A novel double target fluorescence probe for Al3+/Mg2+ detection with distinctively different responses and its applications in cell imaging

Abstract

The metal cations, Al³⁺ and Mg²⁺, could affect human health and cell biological processes. Their fast and selective detection using one probe remains a challenge. A novel fluorescence probe, N'-((1-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)methylene)isoquinoline-3-carbohydrazide (NHMI), was developed for selectively monitoring Al³⁺ and Mg²⁺. The probe NHMI showed a distinctive "turn-on" fluorescence signal towards Al³⁺ and Mg²⁺ (cyan for Al³⁺ with 2556-folds enhancement and yellow for Mg²⁺ with 88-folds enhancement), which is quite distinct from other metal cations and allows for naked-eye detection. This interesting response was attributed to the influence of PET, ESIPT process and CHEF effect, when Al³⁺ or Mg²⁺ chelated with NHMI. Furthermore, the fluorescence titration experiments manifested that the detection limit of probe NHMI for Al³⁺/Mg²⁺ was as low as 1.20 × 10^-8 M and 7.69 × 10^-8 M, respectively. The formed complexes NHMI-Al³⁺ and NHMI-Mg²⁺ were analyzed by Job's plot, ESI-MS, ¹H NMR and FT-IR. The coordination pockets and fluorescence mechanisms of two metal complexes were explored by density functional theory calculation. Moreover, NHMI showed low cytotoxicity and good cell permeability. Fluorescence bioimaging of Al³⁺/Mg²⁺ in MCF-7 cells with NHMI indicated its potential application in biological diagnostic analysis.

Keywords: Al(3+)/Mg(2+); Bio-imaging; DFT calculation; Fluorescence probe.