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Published on: October 20, 2021
Mitochondria-Targeted NIR Ratiometric and Colorimetric Fluorescent Probe for Biothiols Based on a Thiol-Chromene
Aishan Ren1,2, Lige Qiao1, Kechun Li1
1Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Minzu University Nanning 530006, Guangxi, China.
A novel fluorescent probe was developed for detecting biothiols like cysteine and glutathione. This probe targets mitochondria and offers sensitive, selective, and rapid detection with visible color changes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Biothiols, including cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), and glutathione (GSH), play crucial roles in cellular processes.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to various diseases, making intracellular biothiol monitoring essential.
- Development of sensitive and selective probes for biothiol detection is critical for biological and medical research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel mitochondria-targeted near-infrared (NIR) ratiometric and colorimetric fluorescent probe.
- To investigate the probe's response to biothiols and its potential for dual-mode detection.
- To evaluate the probe's efficacy in imaging intracellular biothiol fluctuations in mitochondria.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a novel fluorescent probe (1) by modifying chromene to pyridine.
- Spectroscopic analysis (absorption and fluorescence) to characterize the probe's optical properties.
- Evaluation of probe response to biothiols (Cys, Hcy, GSH) including sensitivity, selectivity, and response time.
- Mitochondrial targeting and intracellular imaging studies using dual-emission channels.
Main Results:
- The probe (1) exhibited distinct absorption and emission peaks, shifting upon reaction with biothiols.
- Visible color changes (red to yellow/green) were observed under different light conditions, enabling colorimetric detection.
- High sensitivity (LODs as low as 16 nM for Hcy) and selectivity for biothiols were achieved.
- The probe successfully targeted mitochondria and imaged intracellular biothiol level changes via dual-emission channels.
Conclusions:
- A novel mitochondria-targeted NIR fluorescent probe (1) was successfully developed for ratiometric and colorimetric detection of biothiols.
- The probe demonstrates excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and rapid response, making it suitable for biological applications.
- This probe provides a valuable tool for monitoring intracellular biothiol dynamics, particularly within mitochondria.
