An innovative dual-organelle targeting NIR fluorescence probe for detecting hydroxyl radicals in biosystem and inflammation models

The hydroxyl radical (OH) is highly reactive and plays a significant role in a number of physiological and pathological processes within biosystems. Aberrant changes in the level of hydroxyl radical are associated with many disorders including tumor, inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, detecting reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biological systems and imaging them is highly significant. In this work, a novel fluorescent probe (HR-DL) has been developed, targeting two organelles simultaneously. The probe is based on a coumarin-quinoline structure and exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity towards hydroxyl radicals (OH). When reacting with OH, the hydrogen abstraction process released its long-range π-conjugation and ICT processes, leading to a substantial red-shift in wavelength. This probe has the benefits of good water solubility (in its oxidative state), short response time (within 10 s), and unique dual lysosome/mitochondria targeting capabilities. It has been applied for sensing OH in biosystem and inflammation mice models.

Monitoring thiophenols in both environmental water samples and bio-samples: A method based on a fluorescent probe with broad pH adaptation

Thiophenol, which is a highly toxic sulfhydryl compound widely used in chemical industry, is an environmental pollutant that threatens human health significantly. It is of great importance to detect highly toxic thiophenols in both environmental and biological system. Thus, the need to develop rapid response, selective and sensitive probes is urgent. In this study, a novel probe was presented for the detection of thiophenols based on an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. This probe exhibits rapid response, broad pH adaptation (2-10), highly selectivity, a large Stokes shift (131 nm) and 40-fold enhancement in fluorescence. Besides, this probe showed low toxicity towards human cell HEK293 and could be applied to detect thiophenol both in living cells, zebrafish and environmental water samples with good recovery (over 94%). All the results indicated that this probe could be a promising sensor for applications for thiophenol derivatives detection in both environmental and biological sciences.

Synthesis of some new distyrylbenzene derivatives using immobilized Pd on an NHC-functionalized MIL-101(Cr) catalyst: photophysical property evaluation, DFT and TD-DFT calculations

In this study the catalytic application of a heterogeneous Pd-catalyst system based on metal organic framework [Pd-NHC-MIL-101(Cr)] was investigated in the synthesis of distyrylbenzene derivatives using the Heck reaction. The Pd-NHC-MIL-101(Cr) catalyst showed high efficiency in the synthesis of these π-conjugated materials and products were obtained in high yields with low Pd-contamination based on ICP analysis. The photophysical behaviors for some of the synthesized distyrylbenzene derivatives were evaluated. The DFT and TD-DFT methods were employed to determine the optimized molecular geometry, band gap energy, and the electronic absorption and emission wavelengths of the new synthesized donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) molecules in the gas phase and in various solvents using the chemical model B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory.

Specific Reactions of RSNO, HSNO, and HNO and Their Applications in the Design of Fluorescent Probes

Nitric oxide (NO)-derived species play essential roles in regulating cellular responses. Among these species, S-nitrosothiols (including RSNO and HSNO) and nitroxyl (HNO) are especially interesting. Owing to their high reactivity and short survival time, the detection of these molecules in biological settings can be challenging. In this regard, much effort has been invested in exploring novel reactions of RSNO/HSNO/HNO and applying these reactions to develop fluorescence probes. Herein, reported specific reactions of RSNO/HSNO/HNO are summarized and strategies used in the design of fluorescent probes are illustrated. The properties and potential problems of representative probes are also discussed.

A near-infrared fluorescent probe for observing thionitrous acid-mediated hydrogen polysulfides formation and fluctuation in cells and in vivo under hypoxia stress

Hydrogen polysulfides (H₂S_n, n>1) as important intracellular reactive sulfur species (RSS) are believe to be responsible for cellular redox regulation. Lots of researches about H₂S_n focusing on their formation, detection and bio-function in signalling regulation are spring up but with poor understanding, especially for biosynthesis and bio-function remain complicated and confusing. Recent studies reveal that thionitrous acid (HSNO) as potential intermediate linked signalling molecules of nitrogenous and sulphureous during biotic redox regulation. However, there are limited evidences for supporting the interrelation and bioeffect between HSNO and H₂S_n. Herein, we have successfully designed a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe ((2-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoyl)oxy)-Benzo[e]cyanine (BCy-FN) for detection H₂S_n and for the first time observing HSNO-mediated H₂S_n generation in cells and in vivo. The probe is harvested from fluorophore BCy-Keto and 2-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid in one step, featuring mitochondria localization. The unique Enol-Keto tautomerization of fluorophore enables the probe becomes more sensitive and has powerful application. Hypoxia model has been constructed and powerfully interpreted the pretreatment of HSNO for zebrafish hypoxia process effectively improves H₂S_n levels and defends the hypoxia induced brain damage. We believe the present studies will help environmentalist and biologist for better understanding of biosynthesis and bio-function in HSNO-mediated H₂S_n formation process under hypoxia stress.