Mitochondria-targeted zeolitic imidazole framework-90: Toward sequential detection and bioimaging of ATP and GSH

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and glutathione (GSH), the primary biomolecules responsible for cellular energy metabolism and antioxidant defense, have been inextricably linked to numerous diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerosis and cancer. We develop a mitochondria-targeted dual-channel nanoprobe, I₃^--RhB/CDs@ZIF-90, for sequential detection and imaging of ATP and GSH in living cells. The nanoprobe is constructed by encapsulating carbon dots (CDs) and I₃^--rhodamine B (RhB) within ZIF-90, where initial fluorescence quenching occurs via aggregation-induced effects. ATP triggers nanoprobe disassembly through competitive Zn²⁺ coordination, releasing CDs and restoring the emission at 650 nm. Subsequently, GSH reduces I₃^- to I^- in the discharged RhB complex, reactivating fluorescence at 580 nm. This sequential activation enables sensitive and selective monitoring of both biomarkers, with detection ranges of 0.4-10 mM for ATP and 0.01-10 mM for GSH. The nanoprobe's ability to differentiate normal and cancer cells through dual-channel imaging offers a reliable platform for early diagnosis of ATP/GSH-related diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.