One third of proteins in nature have been revealed as metalloproteins, whereas most of them remain uncharacterized, probably due to the lack of robust methods especially for tracking metalloproteins within the living context. Fluorescent labeling is capable to detect biomolecules with molecular resolution in living cells. Tracking metal-binding proteins in living cells by fluorescence could provide invaluable information in understanding their localization and potential functions in the native environment. A synthetic molecular probe NTA-AC was designed and synthesized to track metal-associated proteins in living cells upon chelation with metal ions. The fluorescent probe consists of a small molecular fluorophores, a metal-chelating moiety to direct the metal-chelated probe to the protein targets, and a photo-active crosslinker. Metal being chelated could help further explore potential binding targets and direct the fluorescent agent to the appropriate region, then subsequently covalent linkage to targets could be generated through photo-activation. NTA-AC was therefore chelated with different metals to examine its binding preference to different proteins. The Ni2+-chelating probe was applied to track Ni2+-binding proteins as an example to validate its applicability. Ni2+-NTA-AC preferentially binds to histidine-rich peptides and proteins thus verified its binding specificity. The Ni2+-chelated probe was further exploited to light up over-expressed histidine-rich proteins in Escherichia coli cells to validate its membrane permeability and binding specificity. In addition, the probe was applied to label His-tagged proteins expressed in tobacco plant cells to further evaluate its applicability in detecting and localizing the protein targets in eukaryotic cells. Afterwards, Ni2+-NTA-AC was exploited to track Ni2+-binding proteins in living Helicobacter pylori cells and incorporated with gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry for protein identification. Many proteins identified are correlated to Ni2+-association and thus validating the applicability of the probe. Bi3+-chelated NTA-AC was therefore used to mine potential targets in H. pylori. Intense fluorescence was observed within H. pylori cells thus indicating the effectiveness of the fluorescent labeling. Protein separation and identification was therefore initiated to trace potential targets, while finding that some of the Bi 3+-coordinated proteins participate in various functioning pathways of the pathogens. The effects of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) on pH buffering and redox defense systems were therefore determined and verified, confirming that respective proteins could be potential therapeutic targets of the drug. Cr3+-NTA-AC was further applied to human Hep G2 cell line to determine Cr3+-binding targets in mammalian cells. Their localization on mitochondria was revealed, implying the potential effects of Cr3+ on mitochondria. Further confirmation of protein targets was performed through protein separation and identification. Proteins identified could be positively correlated to mitochondrial functions and thus revealing that Cr3+ might exert its effect at mitochondria. Addition of Cr3+ to Hep G2 could prevent mitochondrial fragmentation induced by hyperglycemia, which thus suggests the possible therapeutic function of Cr3+. The extensive application of NTA-AC in tracking Ni2+-, Bi3+- and Cr3+-associated proteins has validated the effectiveness of such strategy in detecting and localizing metalloproteins within the living context and thus could be extended to investigate other metalloproteomes. / published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Bibliography: leaves 177-181. / v, 181 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Chemistry, 1999

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Chemistry, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-181).

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Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Chemistry, 1999. / Errata pasted onto front end-paper. Bibliography: leaves 173-188.

Thesis (M.Sc.). / Written for the Dept. of Chemistry. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/05/28). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.). / Written for the Dept. of Biomedical Engineering. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2009/06/18). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2005. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file viewed on (January 11, 2006) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2005. / "May, 2005." Includes bibliographical references. Online version available on the World Wide Web. Library also has microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mich. : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [2005]. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.

Zinc is an important micronutrient but the biological function of its labile form is poorly understood. Zinc selective fluorescence sensors, recognized as the major tool to gain information about the role of zinc in living systems, have been attracting more and more interest. The most promising solution currently being studied comes in the form of ratiometric sensors. Unlike sensors based on the switch-on mechanism, ratiometric sensors determine the free metal concentration directly from the ratio of the emission intensities at two wavelengths. The major restriction on the design of this type of sensor is from the necessity for a spectral-shift upon binding metal ions. To develop novel ratiometric sensors, we have developed designs based on excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). In the absence of ZnII at neutral pH, the 2-(2 -sulfonamidophenyl)benzimidazole family undergoes ESIPT to yield a highly Stokes-shifted emission from the proton-transfer tautomer. Coordination of ZnII inhibits the ESIPT process and yields a significant hypsochromic shift of the fluorescence emission maximum. By implementing structural modifications, we were able to gauge free ZnII concentrations in the millimolar to picomolar range. To tune the peak excitation towards lower energy, a property that is of particular importance in the light of biological applications, we modified the platform molecule with extended pi-conjugation and by substituent engineering. The position of the modification and the nature of the substituents strongly influenced the photophysical properties of the investigated derivatives. Several fluorophores revealed emission ratiometric properties with a large dynamic range combined with a peak absorption beyond 350 nm, rendering these probes promising candidates for applications. To further understand the origin of the substituent effect, we studied five derivatives for the solvatochromic shift analysis and quantum chemical studies. The results showed that the negative solvatochromic shift behavior was most pronounced in protic solvents presumably due to specific hydrogen-bonding interactions. The extrapolated gas-phase emission energies correlated qualitatively with the trends in Stokes shifts, suggesting that solute-solvent interactions do not play a significant role in explaining the divergent emission energy shifts. Detailed quantum chemical calculations not only confirmed the moderately polarized nature of the ESIPT tautomers but also provided a rationale for the observed emission shifts based on the differential change in the HOMO and LUMO energies. This study revealed the great potential of 2-(2 -arylsulfonamidophenyl)- benzimidazoles, such as tunable peak absorption and emission, a very wide dynamic range regarding to zinc binding, very little solvent polarity dependence, and especially, the emission ratiometric property. All these properties make this system a unique candidate to tackle the problems in the research of zinc biology.