Bifunctional Single-Molecular Fluorescent Probe: Visual Detection of Mitochondrial SO2 and Membrane Potential
Wenming Ai1, Yingcui Bu1, Houshi Huang1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Materials Chemistry of Anhui Province, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Key Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials (Anhui University) Ministry of Education, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
This study developed TC-2, a novel probe for dual-channel monitoring of mitochondrial sulfur dioxide (SO2) and membrane potential (MMP). TC-2 offers a new diagnostic method for mitochondrial diseases.
Area of Science:
- Mitochondrial biology
- Chemical sensing
- Biomedical diagnostics
Background:
- Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are critical for mitochondrial function.
- Existing methods for monitoring MMP may not fully capture dynamic cellular changes.
- There is a need for novel probes to simultaneously assess mitochondrial state and key signaling molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel fluorescent probe (TC-2) for dual-channel monitoring of mitochondrial SO2 and MMP.
- To investigate the probe's localization, sensitivity, and response to changes in MMP.
- To explore the probe's utility in investigating mitochondrial dysfunction and diagnosing related diseases.
Main Methods:
- Side-chain engineering was used to construct TC-2 and TC-8 probes.
- Hydrophobicity was assessed to determine mitochondrial localization.
- Fluorescence spectroscopy was employed to detect SO2 and changes in MMP.
- Cellular experiments were conducted to evaluate probe performance under oxidative stress conditions.
Main Results:
- TC-2 demonstrated better mitochondrial localization due to its lower hydrophobicity.
- TC-2 exhibited high sensitivity to SO2 (LOD = 13.8 nM) with short-wave emission.
- The probe showed enhanced long-wave emission upon binding with DNA and a 9-fold increase in fluorescence lifetime when migrating from mitochondria to the nucleus as MMP decreased.
- Dual-channel monitoring of mitochondrial SO2 and MMP was achieved, distinct from commercial detectors like JC-1/JC-10.
- Cellular experiments revealed a correlation between decreased MMP and increased SO2 levels under oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- TC-2 serves as a versatile tool for simultaneous detection of mitochondrial SO2 and MMP.
- The probe's unique response to MMP changes provides a novel pathway for monitoring mitochondrial dynamics.
- This work presents a new approach for investigating and diagnosing mitochondrial-related diseases.
