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A Dual-Organelle Fluorescent Probe for Visualizing Intracellular Microviscosity Dynamics
Kaiwen Zheng1, Xiang Wang2, Haijiao Xie3
1School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, No. 7166, Baotong West Street, Wangliu Street, Weicheng District, Weifang City, Shandong Province, 261000, China.
Journal of Fluorescence
|February 5, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed ZKW, a novel fluorescent probe, to visualize changes in intracellular microviscosity. This tool accurately detects viscosity shifts in cellular organelles, aiding the study of cell function and disease.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Intracellular microviscosity is crucial for cellular processes like molecular diffusion and signal transduction.
- Existing fluorescence probes lack the sensitivity, specificity, or biological compatibility for accurate microviscosity monitoring.
- Developing advanced probes is essential for understanding cellular dynamics and disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel, sensitive, and biocompatible fluorescent probe for visualizing intracellular microviscosity.
- To characterize the photophysical properties and cellular localization of the new probe.
- To demonstrate the probe's utility in monitoring viscosity changes under various cellular stress conditions.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a dihydroxanthene-based fluorescent probe (ZKW) with a D-π-A push-pull architecture and an o-bromophenyl molecular rotor.
- Characterization of ZKW's fluorescence response to viscosity changes, selectivity, photostability, and cytotoxicity.
- Confocal microscopy for colocalization studies in mitochondria and lysosomes.
- Application of ZKW in cellular models of LPS stimulation, oleic acid treatment, nystatin exposure, and erastin-induced ferroptosis.
Main Results:
- ZKW exhibits viscosity-dependent fluorescence enhancement with high sensitivity and selectivity.
- The probe shows preferential accumulation in mitochondria and lysosomes, enabling organelle-specific viscosity monitoring.
- ZKW effectively detects intracellular viscosity elevations in response to diverse cellular stresses.
- The probe demonstrates good photostability and low cytotoxicity, ensuring biological compatibility.
Conclusions:
- ZKW is a robust and versatile fluorescent probe for real-time visualization of intracellular microviscosity heterogeneity.
- This probe facilitates the study of viscosity-associated physiological and pathological processes at the subcellular level.
- ZKW offers a valuable tool for advancing research in cell biology and disease mechanisms.
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