DA-ZP1-TPP is a zinc-selective, reaction-based, fluorescent
sensor that has an excellent dynamic range and pH profile, and
it can be targeted to mitochondria in live cells. Acetylation of
fluorescein-based zinc sensors simultaneously increases hydrophobicity
and reduces the anionic character of the constructs,
which in turn improves the cellular uptake and targetability of
the probes. In contrast to the nonacetylated derivative, DA-ZP1-
TPP has a vastly improved dynamic range and pH profile, and it
can target mitochondria in live cells. DA-ZP1-TPP imaging of
epithelial prostate cells revealed that tumorigenic lines lose the
ability to accumulate mobile zinc within their mitochondria. Understanding
mobile zinc trafficking in biology will require reagents
such as DA-ZP1-TPP, which have the ability to visualize changes in
free Zn2+ concentrations at discrete cellular locales. By creating
a mobile zinc map and tracking the accumulation and fluctuation of