Time-Gated Luminescence Detection of Enzymatically Produced Hydrogen Sulfide: Design, Synthesis, and Application of a Lanthanide-Based Probe

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is now recognized as an important gaseous transmitter that is involved in a variety of biological processes. Here, we report the design and synthesis of a luminescent lanthanide biosensor for H₂S, LP2-Cu(II)-Ln(III), a heterobinuclear metal complex that uses Cu(II) decomplexation to control millisecond-scale-lifetime-Tb(III)- or Eu(III)-emission intensity. LP2-Cu(II)-Ln(III) responded rapidly, selectively, and with high sensitivity to aqueous H₂S. The probe's potential for biological applications was verified by measuring the H₂S generated by the slow-releasing chemical-sulfide-donor GYY4147, by cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), and by Na₂S-stimulated HeLa cells.