Experimental study demonstrates simultaneous dual-valence copper tracking in cell models, highlighting real-time ion dynamics during cuproptosis.
Key Points
To develop a hierarchical dual-emission fluorescent nanoprobe capable of simultaneously detecting and imaging Cu+ and Cu2+ to track valence state transitions during copper homeostasis disruption.
Synthesized the Rbh@ZIF-8@PDA/CuL nanoprobe by encapsulating a Cu2+-responsive rhodamine derivative inside a ZIF-8 framework and functionalizing the polydopamine outer shell with a Cu+-responsive naphthalimide moiety.
Evaluated sensitivity, reaction kinetics, and cross-channel selectivity using copper chelators and exogenous copper treatments.
Monitored dynamic intracellular Cu+ and Cu2+ fluctuations during cuproptosis induced by copper ionophore regimens across distinct cell models.
The nanoprobe demonstrated limits of detection of 0.004 μM for Cu+ and 0.008 μM for Cu2+, exhibiting rapid response kinetics without cross-interference between channels.
Cu2+ activation elicited a fluorescence enhancement via rhodamine ring-opening, while Cu+ binding caused fluorescence quenching of the naphthalimide group through photoinduced electron transfer.
The probe successfully mapped shifts in endogenous and exogenous copper valence states during cuproptosis across multiple cell types.