Recent Advances in Enzyme-Activated Dual-Locked Probes for Biological Applications

Enzymes catalyze reactions involved in diverse physiological, pathological, and pharmacological processes. By employing the optical probe, fluorescence imaging enables non-invasive, real-time detection and assessment of disease states based on enzymatic activity. However, most enzyme-activated probes are single-locked probes that respond to a single biomarker. In comparison to single-locked probes, enzyme-activated dual-locked probes can effectively minimize the occurrence of false-positive signals, circumvent the problem of low specificity associated with biologically active substances, and facilitate precise imaging. This review systematically summarizes the design and application of dual-locked probes in disease diagnosis, with the aim of providing inspiration for researchers in the field.