A turn-on BODIPY-based fluorescent probe for Hg(II) and its biological applications

In this paper, we developed a new selectively fluorescent probe for Hg2+ based on BODIPY. The probe exhibited strong affinity for Hg2+ over other metal ions. Treatment with Hg2+ would “turn on” the fluorescence of the probe, and strong green fluorescence could be observed. The binding constant (Ka) of the probe with Hg2+ was calculated to be 9.43 × 104 M−1 from a Benesi–Hildebrand plot and the detection limit was evaluated to be as low as 1.73 nM (LOD = 3σ/slope, σ is standard deviation). Biological applications were investigated employing living HeLa cells, zebrafish and nude mouse.

A fluorescent probe for imaging Hg2+ was prepared. The probe was successfully applied in the imaging of Hg2+ in living HeLa cells, zebrafish and living nude mouse.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide