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Dual-Response and Dual-Targeting Probe Based on the Quinolinothiazole Salt Capable of Decoding Cellular Stress and
Hong-Di Xu1, Qi Lin1, Wen-Pei Ni1
1College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Material Science, Soochow University, No. 199 Ren Ai Road, Suzhou 215123, China.
Analytical Chemistry
|April 23, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel fluorescent probe, QTNP, for simultaneous pH and nucleic acid sensing. This versatile tool tracks organelle function and distinguishes cell states, offering new insights into cellular health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Probes
Background:
- Cellular health relies on organelle function, but traditional probes lack multi-parameter detection for complex dynamics.
- Understanding interorganellar communication is crucial for diagnosing pathological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel fluorescent probe, QTNP, for simultaneous sensing of local pH and nucleic acid activity.
- To enable dual targeting of mitochondria and nucleoli for dynamic cellular monitoring.
- To investigate QTNP's utility in decoding cellular stress responses and distinguishing cell types.
Main Methods:
- Development of QTNP probe based on a quinolinethiazolium scaffold.
- Characterization of QTNP's large Stokes shift and dual-response capabilities.
- Cell imaging experiments to monitor mitochondrial dysfunction, ferroptosis, and differentiate cell states.
Main Results:
- QTNP demonstrated high sensitivity for DNA (LOD 1.43 μg/mL) and RNA (LOD 0.89 μg/mL).
- The probe successfully targeted mitochondria and nucleoli, dynamically reporting cellular stress.
- QTNP distinguished normal, cancerous, and senescent cells, showing significantly higher fluorescence in cancerous cells.
Conclusions:
- QTNP is a sensitive, dual-targeting fluorescent probe for simultaneous pH and nucleic acid sensing.
- The probe effectively decodes cellular stress responses and differentiates cell physiological states.
- QTNP offers a versatile tool for studying organelle dynamics and cellular health in living systems.
