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Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Mitochondrial Research - mtHyper7 Biosensor for Subcellular Analysis
Published on: June 2, 2023
Mitochondria-targeting fluorescent sensor with high photostability and permeability for visualizing viscosity in
Yaqian Li1, Zile Zhou2, Shiying Chen2
1Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; Academician Workstation and Hunan Key Laboratory of the Research and Development of Novel Pharmaceutical Preparations, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410219, China.
Abstract:
Viscosity changes in mitochondria are closely associated with numerous cellular processes and diseases. Currently available fluorescence probes used in mitochondrial viscosity imaging are not very photostable or sufficiently permeable. Herein, a highly photostable and permeable mitochondria-targeting red fluorescent probe (Mito-DDP) was designed and synthesized for viscosity sensing. Viscosity was imaged in living cells using a confocal laser scanning microscope, and the results suggested that Mito-DDP penetrated the membrane and stained the living cells. Importantly, practical applications of Mito-DDP were demonstrated: viscosity visualization was realized for mitochondrial malfunction, cellular and zebrafish inflammation, and Drosophila Alzheimer's disease models, i.e., for subcellular organelles, cells, and organisms. The excellent analytical and bioimaging performance of Mito-DDP in vivo makes it an effective tool for exploring the physiological and pathological effects of viscosity.
