Small-molecule fluorescent probes for imaging gaseous signaling molecules: current progress and future implications

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Chemical Biology
• Molecular Imaging

Background:

• Endogenous gaseous molecules, including nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), play crucial physiological and pharmacological roles.
• Dysregulation of these gasotransmitters is linked to various diseases, necessitating effective detection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in fluorescent probes designed for detecting NO, CO, and H2S.
• To highlight design strategies and application examples of these probes for biological research.

Main Methods:

• Summarizing recent literature on fluorescent probe development for gaseous signaling molecules.
• Illustrating probe design principles based on the intrinsic properties of NO, CO, and H2S.
• Presenting application examples of these probes in biological systems.

Main Results:

• Numerous fluorescent probes have been successfully developed for detecting NO, CO, and H2S.
• These probes demonstrate non-invasiveness, high selectivity, and real-time in situ detection capabilities.
• Various design strategies have been employed to meet diverse detection demands.

Conclusions:

• Fluorescent probes are powerful tools for studying gasotransmitter roles and mechanisms.
• Further research into novel probe designs and applications is encouraged.
• This perspective provides insights into the challenges and future directions for gasotransmitter-responsive fluorescent probes.