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A highly selective lysosome-targeting NIR fluorescent probe (Lyso-SiR-2S) for HOCl was constructed based on Si-rhodamine B spirodithiolactone. This probe was very effectively employed to sense HOCl produced in various living cells and to visualize fluctuations of endogenous HOCl resulting from GEN-induced acute kidney injury in vivo for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal enzymatic activities are directly related to the development of cancers. Identifying the location and expression levels of these enzymes in live cancer cells have considerable importance in early-stage cancer diagnoses and monitoring the efficacy of therapies. Small-molecule fluorescent probes have become a powerful tool for the detection and imaging of enzymatic activities in biological systems by virtue of their higher sensitivity, nondestructive fast analysis, and real-time detection abilities. Moreover, due to their structural tailorability, numerous small-molecule enzymatic fluorescent probes have been developed to meet various demands involving real-time tracking and visualizing different enzymes in live cancer cells or in vivo. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in small-molecule enzymatic fluorescent probes mainly during the past decade, including the design strategies and applications for various enzymes in live cancer cells. We also highlight the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly developing field of small-molecule fluorescent probes for interventional surgical imaging, as well as cancer diagnosis and therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A promising two-photon fluorescent probe MNAH for detecting 1O2 during the PDT process in mitochondria was proposed for the first time. MNAH was successfully applied for two-photon imaging of 1O2 in living cells and tissues during the PDT process with deep-tissue imaging depth. MNAH can be a powerful molecular tool for studying 1O2 generation in mitochondria during the PDT process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell-surface fluorescent probes are effective tools in cell biology and engineering. Here, we for the first time report a diacyllipid–aptamer conjugate-based fluorescent probe which could anchor on cell membrane for real-time tracking of potassium ions in the cell microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A FRET-based two-photon fluorescent probe, P-Np-Rhod, which exhibited a fast and high selective ratiometric response to nitroxyl, was first proposed. P-Np-Rhod was successfully applied to two-photon dual-channel imaging of nitroxyl in living cells and tissues with less cross-talk between channels and satisfactory deep-tissue imaging depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysosomes are acidic organelles (approximately pH 4.5–5.5) and tracking the changes in lysosomal pH is of great biological importance. To address this issue, quite a few of fluorescent probes have been developed. However, few of these probes can realize the tracking of dynamic changes in lysosomal pH. Herein, we report a new lysosome-targeted ratiometric fluorescent probe (FR-Lys) by hybridizing morpholine with a xanthane derivative and an o-hydroxy benzoxazole group. In this probe, the morpholine group serves as a targeting unit for lysosome, the xanthane derivative exhibits a pH-modulated open/close reaction of the spirocycle, while the o-hydroxy benzoxazole moiety shows a pH modulated excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. Such a design affords the probe a ratiometric fluorescence response towards pH with pH values ranging from 4.0 to 6.3. The response of the probe to pH was fast and reversible with high selectivity. Moreover, this probe possesses further advantages such as easy synthesis, high photostability and low cytotoxicity. These features are favorable for tracking dynamic pH changes in biosystems. It was then applied for dynamic imaging pH changes in lysosomes with satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel coumarin-based fluorescent probe, P-CM, for quantitative detection of nitroxyl (HNO) was developed. P-CM exhibits a selective response to HNO over other biological reductants and was also applied for quantitative detection of HNO in bovine serum with satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]