Development of a naphtho[2,1-b] furan probe for fluorescence-assisted micromolar detection of Human Serum Albumin (HSA). The probe displays exclusive selectivity towards HSA compared to its congeners from other mammalian/non-mammalian sources. Its unique behavior is analyzed using anisotropy and time-resolved studies. The practical application of the probe is demonstrated in HSA-spiked human urine samples.

Abstract

Human serum albumin (HSA) is an important biomarker that can be used for the early diagnosis of many diseases. In this work, a TICT probe bearing fused naphtho-furan scaffold (NPNF) was developed and employed in the selective turn-on sensing of HSA. The probe's selectivity towards HSA was observed using steady-state fluorescence experiments, with limit of quantitation in micromolar levels. NPNF's capability to exclusively detect HSA over BSA was further studied/rationalized using anisotropy and time-resolved studies. Molecular docking was used to shed light on the location of NPNF in the subdomain IB of HSA. The practical application of the probe was also demonstrated by the detection of HSA in urine and the HSA-assisted detection of cerium.