MRI and luminescence detection of Zn²⁺ with a lanthanide complex–zinc finger peptide conjugate

Abstract

A bioinspired probe based on a zinc finger peptide functionalized by a lanthanide(iii)-DOTA monoamide complex turns out to be active for both luminescence and MRI detection of Zn2+, depending on the lanthanide cation. A mechanism for MRI-based detection is proposed.