Redefining Molecular Probes for Monitoring Subcellular Environment: A Perspective.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Chemical Biology

Background:

• Small-molecule fluorescent probes are crucial for real-time in vivo monitoring of physicochemical parameters.
• Traditional parameters like membrane potential are being replaced by more biologically relevant ones such as membrane voltage and hydration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically examine advances and trends in fluorescent probe design for in vivo subcellular monitoring.
• To highlight limitations in current probes for redox environment assessment and inspire new probe development.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on fluorescent probe design and application.
• Analysis of probe mechanisms, including free radical reactions and metal catalysis.
• Discussion of various fluorophore cores (naphthalimide, fluorescein, BODIPY, rhodamine, cyanine) for UV-vis-NIR detection.

Main Results:

• Redefinition of monitored parameters towards membrane voltage, tension, and hydration for enhanced physiological accuracy.
• Identification of limitations in current probes regarding specificity for the redox environment.
• Overview of probe chemistries and their spectral coverage.

Conclusions:

• Evolved probe concepts offer broader applications in monitoring subcellular dynamics.
• There is a need for more specific and robust fluorescent probes for comprehensive in vivo physicochemical monitoring.
• Further research is inspired to create efficient probes for real-time subcellular assessments.