A Two-Input Fluorescent Logic Gate for Glutamate and Zinc.

The direct visualization of neurotransmitters is a continuing problem in neuroscience; however, functional fluorescent sensors for organic analytes are still rare. Herein, we describe a fluorescent sensor for glutamate and zinc ions. The sensor acts as a fluorescent logic gate, giving a turn-off response to glutamate or zinc ion alone. The combination of analytes produces a large increase in fluorescence. This type of sensor will aid in the study of neurotransmission, in this case, for neurons that copackage high concentrations of zinc and glutamate.