A Cu(II)-Based Fluorescent Probe for Carbon Monoxide, Nap-BC-Cu(II), Does Not Selectively Detect Carbon Monoxide.

Area of Science:

• Chemical Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Carbon monoxide (CO) pharmacology research drives demand for fluorescent CO probes.
• Chemically reactive CO-releasing molecules (CORMs) often lead to false positives in CO detection.
• Previous studies highlight issues with CO probes responding to CORMs instead of CO.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reassess the Nap-BC-Cu(II) probe's ability to selectively detect carbon monoxide (CO).
• To evaluate the probe's performance under pathophysiologically relevant conditions.

Main Methods:

• Investigated the response of Nap-BC-Cu(II) to varying concentrations of CO.
• Assessed the probe's cross-reactivity with other biologically relevant molecules.
• Evaluated probe performance under continuous CO exposure.

Main Results:

• Nap-BC-Cu(II) showed no selective CO detection, even at high micromolar concentrations.
• Marginal probe response observed only after 15 minutes of continuous CO bubbling.
• Nap-BC-Cu(II) demonstrated sensitivity to ascorbic acid and cysteine, indicating cross-reactivity.

Conclusions:

• The Nap-BC-Cu(II) probe is not a reliable tool for detecting CO in biological systems.
• Findings do not support its use in studying CO biology due to lack of specificity.
• Emphasizes the need for rigorous validation of CO probes to avoid confusion with CORM artifacts.