Design, synthesis and cellular dynamics studies in membranes of a new coumarin-based “turn-off” fluorescent probe selective for Fe2+

• A new coumarin-tris probe (AGS) was synthesized.
• AGS fluorescence is quenched selectively by Fe2+.
• AGS is a useful Fe2+ probe in living cells.
• AGS localizes selectively to cell membranes.
• AGS penetrates to the glycerol level of membranes.

A new coumarin-based ‘turn-off’ fluorescent probe, 7-(diethylamino)-N-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxamide (AGD) was synthesized. This compound is highly selective for ferrous ions (Fe2+) and can reversibly detect them in aqueous medium. The probe localizes to the cell membrane in living cells, where it can detect changes in Fe2+ concentration. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations indicate that AGD interacts with the lipid bilayer at the level of the glycerol moieties.

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