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

Abstract

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 (Fe2þ) and can reversibly detect them in aqueous medium. The probe localizes to the cell membrane in living cells, where it can detect changes in Fe2þ concentration. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations indicate that AGD interacts with the lipid bilayer at the level of the glycerol moieties.