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We have synthesized a simple Golgi-targeting H2S fluorescent probe which can detect endogenous and exogenous H2S in cells and zebrafish. In addition, this probe provides a new chemical tool for the detailed study of generation pathways of H2S under Golgi stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel pH-sensitive fluorescent probe has been designed and synthesized for sensing intracellular pH. This probe showed excellent water solubility, it was sensitive toward the pH range from 4 to 12, and it was especially sensitive in alkaline environments. During the pH changes from acidic to alkaline environments, the color of the solution turned from yellow to purple, thus the difference in color can be used to distinguish between acidic and alkaline systems. The other major features of probe pH-DCN including high selectivity, low toxicity, good reversibility and stability allowed pH-DCN to visualize fluctuations of the pH in live cells. Moreover, probe pH-DCN has successfully discriminated cancer cells from normal cells by monitoring their different intracellular pH levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is very important to determine mercury owing to its complex biological poisonousness that could cause various physical diseases and even death. In this study, we designed a novel coumarin-based ratiometric fluorescent probe, CR-Hg , with DL-dithiothreitol moiety as the recognition receptor to detect mercury ions (Hg2+). CR-Hg could realize the quantitative detection of Hg2+ between 0 and 1.4 μM with low detection limit (1.6 nM). Furthermore, CR-Hg could react quickly with Hg2+ in a few seconds and accompanied by color changes from pale yellow to orange. In the end, the applications of CR-Hg in the water samples, living cells and zebrafish more deeply indicated that the probe could serve as a novel promising tool for revealing mercury distribution in the environment and organisms. Image 1 • Probe CR-Hg is a colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe for Hg2+. • CR-Hg could quantitatively and sensitively detect Hg2+ (DL = 1.6 nM). • CR-Hg could rapidly detect Hg2+ (within 5 s). • CR-Hg displayed prominent selectivity toward Hg2+ than other various species. • CR-Hg could be applied to determining Hg2+ in water samples, live cells and zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Probe CMER is a ratiometric fluorescent probe for Hg2+. • CMER could rapidly detect Hg2+ (within 5 s). • CMER could quantitatively and sensitively detect Hg2+ (DL = 7.6 nM). • CMER showed excellent selectivity toward Hg2+ than other different species. • CMER could be applied to determining Hg2+ in water samples, live cells and zebrafish. Mercury, as a highly toxic heavy metal, can cause very serious harm to human health and even death in severe cases. Therefore, we synthesized a novel ratiometric fluorescent probe for detecting mercury ions, with mercaptoethanol as the recognition receptor. Probe CMER could determine mercury ions in 0–1.6 μM and the detection limit is 7.6 nM. Moreover, CMER manifested a fast response for Hg2+ (within 5 s) and simultaneously observed that the color changed from light yellow to orange by naked eye. In addition to these preeminent spectral properties, the probe also had satisfactory bioimaging results in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The probe could quantitatively and sensitively detect Cys (DL = 5.1 × 10−8 mol/L). • The probe displayed prominent selectivity to Cys than other species including biothiols. • The probe could specifically target the Golgi apparatus. • The probe could be applied to tracking basal Cys in live cells and zebrafish. • The probe could track the generation of Cys during the Golgi stress response in live cells and zebrafish. In the appropriate Golgi stress response, adaptive repair will occur by changing or triggering the expression of related pathways. Furthermore, it also can inhibit the cytotoxicity of cells in the altered redox homeostasis. Elevated biosynthesis and transport of cysteine (Cys) will be induced to restore the abnormal redox state, and more evidences are needed to confirm this process in the Golgi stress response. Herein, we developed a novel Golgi-targetable Cys-specific fluorescent probe GT-Cys for sensitively detecting Cys generation during the Golgi stress response. In probe GT-Cys , thiobenzoate moiety was chosen as recognition group of Cys, and 4-CF 3 -7-aminoquinoline dye was selected as fluorophore and Golgi targetable unit. Probe GT-Cys can selectively and sensitively respond to Cys. Additionally, it has good targetable properties, facilitating the study of complicated stress response of Golgi apparatus. Importantly, the applications of probe GT-Cys in biological imaging showed that it is sensitive enough to basal Cys, especially to endogenous Cys during the Golgi stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CO-releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2), as a safe donor for releasing CO, has been widely adopted to disclose the physiopathological roles of CO and used as therapeutic drug replacing gaseous CO. The accurate determination of CORM-2 levels in biological systems is central for understanding its safe use as therapeutic agent and the cellular functions of CO. In this paper, a novel fluorescent probe CPD-NB was synthesized, which provided a safe and convenient way for detecting CORM-2 without the requirement of Pd2+ as an additional substrate. It featured a robust fluorescence response to CORM-2 with desirable sensitivity (the detection limit was as low as 4 nM), and showed high selectivity toward CORM-2 over other biologically relevant species. Moreover, with the low cytotoxicity of probe CPD-NB , the visualizations of CORM-2 changes in live cells and zebrafish were also achieved. Thus, we expected that probe CPD-NB could be as an ideal platform for safe and powerful imaging of CORM-2 in biological systems, and may thus promote the progress of CO-related research. Image 1 • The probe could detect CORM-2 without the assistance of Pd2+. • The probe could detect CORM-2 with ultra-sensitivity (detection limit was about 4 nM). • The probe displayed prominent selectivity towards CORM-2. • The probe was successful achieved in imaging the fluctuations of CORM-2 in live cells and zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A naphthalimide-derived 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperidine-containing highly selective fluorescent probe for HOBr was designed. • This probe exhibited high sensitivity with a low detection limit (200 nM). • This probe achieved rapid response for HOBr (∼1 min). • This probe was favorable for imaging endogenous HOBr in living cells and zebrafish. Hypobromous acid (HOBr) is profoundly implicated in many physiological and pathological conditions. In vivo , the production of HOBr is a double-edged sword for organisms. Appropriate amount of HOBr have effective antibacterial activity, however, abnormal production of HOBr can easily cause tissue damages. Unfortunately, the detailed cellular functions of HOBr are still unclear, which are mainly because highly specific and sensitive sensing of HOBr in living organism remains to be challenged. Based on that, a new n aphthalimide-derived 1-(2- a mino e thyl) p iperidine-containing highly selective fluorescent probe NAEP-HOBr for bioimaging endogenous HOBr was designed. Probe NAEP-HOBr possesses satisfactory sensitivity reflected in low detection limit (200 nM), pleasurable selectivity over others biological molecules, and rapid response for HOBr (∼1 min). Moreover, probe NAEP-HOBr is competent for tracking endogenous HOBr in living cells and zebrafish, which further provides an effective and powerful tool for tracking the fluctuations of endogenous HOBr in living organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]