Novel water-soluble fluorescent polymer containing recognition units: Synthesis and interactions with PC12 cell

New water-soluble fluorescent poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) containing carbonylhydrazide recognition units was synthesized by free radical polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone in the presence of mercaptoacetic acid as chain transfer agent and then being modified by 1-pyrenebutyric acid hydrazide. FT-IR, 1H NMR, gel permeation chromatography-multi-angle laser light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to characterize these polymers. Results of fluorescence measurements show that these polymers have a good affinity for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The interactions with PC12 cell results indicated that the polymer with suitable molecular weight could penetrate into PC12 cell and emit fluorescence. This water-soluble polymer with recognition units and high luminescence can be used as a promising fluorescent probe for measurements of biomacromolecules and cells.