Two-Dimension (2D) Cu-MOFs/aptamer Nanoprobe for In Situ ATP Imaging in Living Cells

Monitoring the intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level is vital for elaborating its function in physiological states. However, the intracellular fluorescence sensing of ATP using ATP aptamer remains difficult owing to non-target displacement and susceptibility toward enzymatic degradation. Herein, by combining 2D Cu-MOF nanosheets and FAM labelled ATP aptamer, we developed a fluorescent Cu-MOFs/aptamer nanoprobe to image and sense intracellular ATP. This nanoprobe reveals a very low fluorescence intensity because of the excellent quenching efficiency of 2D Cu-MOF nanosheets. The presence of ATP was capable to dissociate the FAM-aptamer from Cu-MOF nanosheets and resulted in an intense fluorescence signal. The Cu-MOFs/aptamer nanoprobe enables highly sensitive and selective measurement of ATP level ranging from 10 mu M to 800 mu M with a detection limit of 4.24 mu M. This nanosystem also further realized in situ detection of the undulation of ATP trigged by drug stimulation, depending on the selective delivery of the nanoprobe and attractive capability of resisting nonspecific displacement. The constructed nanoprobe may supply a potential platform in clinical diagnostics and biological studies.