A ¹⁹F-ATCUN Peptide NMR Probe for Selective Cu²⁺ or Ni² ⁺ Sensing in Complex Biological Media.

ABSTRACT: We report the design and synthesis of ratiometric ¹⁹F-ATCUN (Xxx-Zzz-His) peptide probes for the selective and reversible detection of Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ by ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. In contrast to fluorescence-based approaches, ¹⁹F NMR enables background-free detection in biological media, due to the absence of fluorine in native biomolecules. The probes remain stable and functional in complex cell media (DMEM), enabling the detection of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ by ¹⁹F NMR with a limit of detection (LOD) of 4 µM and quantification (LOQ) of 10 µM, relevant for studying copper-related pathologies.

SUBMITTER: Tilly MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12451411 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature