Design, synthesis and evaluation of a fluorescent peptidyl sensor for the selective recognition of arsenite

A series of fluorescently labelled phytochelatin-like peptide sequences has been designed and synthesised as molecules with the ability both to bind to arsenite and to report this binding event. The peptides have been evaluated against a panel of biologically significant ions. The results of these initial studies are reported herein, and a structure which displays selectivity for As(III) over As(V) and other anions has been identified.