Recent advances in Zn²⁺ imaging: From organelles to in vivo applications

Zn²⁺ is involved in various physiological and pathological processes in living systems. Monitoring the dynamic spatiotemporal changes of Zn²⁺ levels in organelles, cells, and in vivo is of great importance for the investigation of the physiological and pathological functions of Zn²⁺. However, this task is quite challenging since Zn²⁺ in living systems is present at low concentrations and undergoes rapid dynamic changes. In this review, we summarize the design and application of fluorescent probes for Zn²⁺ imaging in organelles, cells, and live organisms reported over the past two years. We aim to provide inspiration for the design of novel Zn²⁺ probes for multi-level monitoring and deepen the understanding of Zn²⁺ biology.