Ultrasensitive Detection of Aqueous Uranyl Based on Uranyl‐Triggered Protein Photocleavage

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition Vol. 61; no. 10; pp. e202115886 - n/a
• Main Authors: Feng, Tiantian, Yuan, Yihui, Zhao, Shilei, Feng, Lijuan, Yan, Bingjie, Cao, Meng, Zhang, Jiacheng, Sun, Wenyan, Lin, Ke, Wang, Ning
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2022
• Edition: International ed. in English
• Subjects: Attenuation; Emission; Emissions; Fluorescence; Metal ions; Photocleavage; Proteins; Selectivity; Sensitivity; Uranyl Detection; Proteins; Sensitivity; Selectivity; Photocleavage; Uranyl Detection
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202115886

The detection of environmental uranyl is attracting increasing attention. However, the available detection strategies mainly depend on the selective recognition of uranyl, which is subject to severe interference by coexisting metal ions. Herein, based on the unique uranyl‐triggered photocleavage property, the protein BSA is labelled with fluorescent molecules that exhibit an aggregation‐induced emission effect for uranyl detection. Uranyl‐triggered photocleavage causes the separation of the fluorescent‐molecule‐labelled protein fragments, leading to attenuation of the emission fluorescence, which is used as a signal for uranyl detection. This detection strategy shows high selectivity for uranyl and an ultralow detection limit of 24 pM with a broad detection range covering five orders of magnitude. The detection method also shows high reliability and stability, making it a promising technique for practical applications in diverse environments. A unique uranyl‐triggered photocleavage property is used for uranyl detection in diverse environments. This method is characterized by ultrasensitive detection, a wide detection range, as well as extensive environmental adaptability and is among the best‐performing uranyl detection methods.