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Updated: Oct 15, 2025
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Synthesis, Cellular Delivery and In vivo Application of Dendrimer-based pH Sensors
Published on: September 10, 2013
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Recent Advances in Small Molecule-Based Intracellular pH Probes.
Pankaj E Hande1, Yogesh G Shelke2, Anindya Datta1
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400076, India.
Chembiochem : a European Journal of Chemical Biology
|October 25, 2021
Summary
Small-molecule pH probes offer sensitive and rapid intracellular pH sensing. This review details recent advancements in these probes, categorized by fluorophore type, for biological and pathological applications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Chemical Biology
- Molecular Imaging
Background:
- Intracellular pH is critical for numerous biological and pathological processes.
- Small-molecule pH probes are effective tools for monitoring cellular acidity due to their sensitivity and rapid response.
- These probes offer advantages like minimal biological interference and adaptable functionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent developments in small-molecule based intracellular pH probes.
- To categorize these probes based on their fluorophore structures.
- To discuss their analytical performance in biological contexts.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on small-molecule pH probes.
- Categorization of probes by fluorophore class (e.g., quinoline, coumarin, BODIPY, rhodamine, indolium, naphthalimide).
- Analysis of reported sensitivity, response times, and localization capabilities.
Main Results:
- Significant advancements have been made in designing small-molecule pH probes.
- Probes utilizing various fluorophores demonstrate diverse sensing capabilities.
- Performance metrics like sensitivity and specificity vary across different probe designs.
Conclusions:
- Small-molecule pH probes are highly effective for intracellular pH sensing.
- Recent innovations have expanded the toolkit of available pH probes.
- Further development promises enhanced tools for studying cellular pH dynamics.
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