A reversible fluorescent probe for Zn2+ and ATP in living cells and in vivo

A reversible fluorescein-based fluorescent probe which exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity for Zn2+ and ATP, has been designed and synthesized. The sensing process was completed via fluorescence variation induced by an opening and closing of the spiro-ring of fluorescein. Zn2+/ATP-induced fluorescent intensity shows a good linear relationship with the concentration of Zn2+/ATP in the range of 0–10 μM with a detection limit of 0.1 μM/0.5 μM. Moreover, the probe was further applied to visualize and detect Zn2+and ATP in vitro and in vivo.