Extending the emission peak tail of indole cyanine for deep-near-infrared bioimaging

We propose a novel strategy for tailoring the structure of fluorescent molecules to achieve emission at the tail end of the NIR-II window. The favorable spectroscopic properties and low cytotoxicity of YNs make them powerful tools for bioimaging. Notably, YN-4 exhibits a brightness 2.5 times greater than YN-3, 6 times that of IR-783, and 5 times that of ICG. This enhanced brightness enabled high-resolution imaging of mouse thoracic and abdominal cavities, tumor vasculature, and real-time monitoring of gastrointestinal motility using YN-4. Furthermore, covalent grafting of glucose onto the YN-Glu scaffold significantly improved tumor-targeting capability and facilitated tracking of glucose metabolism. This work aims to extend the application of fluorescent molecule imaging beyond the NIR-IIa window.

Rapid, portable and visualizing nitrite detection enabled by a rationally designed meso-aminoindole substituted pyronine-based fluorescent probe

Nitrite (NO2-) widely exists in our daily diet, and its excessive consumption can lead to detrimental effects on the human central nervous system and an elevated risk of cancer. The fluorescence probe method for the determination of nitrite has developed rapidly due to its simplicity, rapidity and sensitivity. Despite establishing various nitrite sensing platforms to ensure the safety of foods and drinking water, the simultaneous achievement of rapid, specific, affordable, visualizing, and on-site nitrite detection remains challenging. Here, we designed a novel fluorescent probe by using Rhodamine 800 as the fluorescent skeleton and 5-aminoindole as the specific reaction group to solve this problem. The probe shows a maximal fluorescence emission at 602 nm, thereby avoiding background emission interference when applied to food samples. Moreover, this unique probe exhibited excellent sensing capabilities for detecting nitrite. These included: a rapid response time within 3 min, a noticeable color change that the naked eye can observe, a low detection limit of 13.8 nM, and a remarkable selectivity and specificity to nitrite. Besides that, the probe can detect nitrite quantitatively in barreled drinking water, ham sausage, and pickles samples, with good recoveries ranging from 89.0 % to 105.8 %. More importantly, based on the probe fixation and signal processing technology, a portable and smart sensing platform was fabricated and made convenient and rapid analysis the content of NO2- in real samples possible. The results obtained in this work provide a new strategy for the design of high-performance nitrite probes and feasible technology for portable, rapid and visual detection of nitrite, and this probe holds the potential as a practical tool for alleviating concern regarding nitrite levels.

A zero-background fluorescent probe for sensing and imaging of glutathione via the "covalent-assembly" approach

Developing selective and sensitive fluorescent probes for the detection of glutathione (GSH) concentration and intracellular distribution is of great significance for early diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as liver injury and cancer since GSH plays irreplaceable roles in regulating intracellular redox homeostasis. Herein, we present a new fluorescent probe that can be specifically activated by GSH through the conjugate addition and hydrolysis induced covalent-assembly approach for achieving zero-background interference fluorescence off-on sensing. Besides, the probe exhibited prominent selectivity and sensitivity, a low detection limit and cytotoxicity, thus successfully realizing specific real-time monitoring and tracking of GSH levels in living cells. As a consequence, this work might provide a potentially promising candidate for validating the function of GSH in various physiological and pathological processes, which is beneficial for early diagnosis and therapeutics of related diseases.

"Covalent-Disassembly"-Based Approaches For Sensing Applications

The detection of analytes with small molecular probes is crucial for the analysis and understanding of chemical, medicinal, environmental and biological situations as well as processes. Classic detection approaches rely on the concept of molecular recognition and bond formation reactions. Bond breakage reactions have been less explored in similar contexts. This concept article introduces metal-salen and metal-imine complexes as "covalent-disassembly"-based (DB)-probes for detecting polyoxophosphates, thiols, amino acids, HCN and changes in pH. It discusses the roles, importance and combinations of structurally functionalized molecular building blocks in the construction of DB-probes. Applications of optimized DB-probes for analyte detection in live cells and foodstuff are also discussed. Furthermore, the mechanism of the disassembly of a Fe(III)-salen probe upon pyrophosphate binding is presented. Extraordinary selectivity for this analyte was achieved by a multistep disassembly sequence including an unprecedented structural change of the metal complex (i. e. "induced-fit" principle). Design principles of probes for sensing applications following the "covalent-disassembly" approach are summarized, which will help improving current systems, but will also facilitate the development of new DB-probes for challenging analytic targets.

A Rationally Designed Prodrug for the Fluorogenic Labeling of Albumin and Theranostic Effects on Drug-Induced Liver Injury

The development of small-molecular fluorogenic tools for the chemo-selective labeling of proteins in live cells is important for the evaluation of intracellular redox homeostasis. Dynamic imaging of human serum albumin (HSA), an antioxidant protein under oxidative stress with concomitant release of antioxidant drugs to maintain redox homeostasis, affords potential opportunities for disease diagnosis and treatment. In this work, we developed a nonfluorogenic prodrug named TPA-NAC, by introducing N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) into a conjugated acceptor skeleton. Through combined thiol and amino addition, coupling with HSA results in fluorescence turn-on and drug release. It was reasoned that the restricted intramolecular motion of the probe under an HSA microenvironment after covalent bonding inhibited the nonradiative transitions. Furthermore, the biocompatibility and photochemical properties of TPA-NAC enabled it to image exogenous and endogenous HSA in living cells in a wash-free manner. Additionally, the released drug evoked upregulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which synergistically eliminated reactive oxygen species in a drug-induced liver injury model. This study provides insights into the design of new theranostic fluorescent prodrugs for chemo-selective protein labeling and disease treatments.

Ultrasensitivity Detecting AChE through "Covalent Assembly" and Signal Amplification Strategic Approaches and Applied to Screen Its Inhibitor

An ultrasensitivity detecting assay for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was developed based on "covalent assembly" and signal amplification strategic approaches. After hydrolyzing thioacetylcholine by AChE and participation of thiol in a self-inducing cascade accelerated by the Meldrum acid derivatives of 2-[bis(methylthio) methylene] malonitrile (CA-2), mercaptans triggered an intramolecular cyclization assembly by the probe of 2-(2,2-dicyanovinyl)-5-(diethylamino) phenyl 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonate (Sd-I) to produce strong fluorescence. The limit of detection for AChE activity was as low as 0.0048 mU/mL. The detection system also had a good detecting effect on AChE activity in human serum and could also be used to screen its inhibitors. By constructing a Sd-I@agarose hydrogel with a smartphone, a point-of-care detection of AChE activity was achieved again.

Activatable endoplasmic reticulum-targeted NIR fluorescent probe with a large Stokes shift for detecting and imaging chymotrypsin

In this work, the first endoplasmic reticulum-targeted near-infrared fluorescent probe, ISO-Chy, with a large Stokes shift is reported by introducing a recognition group of 4-bromobutyl for chymotrypsin detection.

Small-molecule fluorescent probes based on covalent assembly strategy for chemoselective bioimaging

In this review, we comprehensively summarize the recent progress in the development of small molecular fluorescent probes based on the covalent assembly principle. The challenges and perspective in this field are also presented.

Fluorescent Determination of Butyrylcholinesterase Activity and Its Application in Biological Imaging and Pesticide Residue Detection

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is an essential human cholinesterase relevant to liver conditions and neurodegenerative diseases, which makes it a pivotal biomarker of health. It therefore remains challenging and highly desired to elaborate efficient chemical tools for BChE with simple operations and satisfactory working performance. In this work, a background-free detection strategy was built by virtue of the judicious coupling of a specific BChE-enzymatic reaction and in situ cyclization. High sensitivity with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.075 μg/mL could be readily achieved from the blank background and the as-produced emissive indicators, and the specific reaction site contributed to the high selectivity over other bio-species even acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In addition to the multifaceted spectral experiments to verify the sensing mechanism, this work assumed comprehensive studies on the application. The bio-investigation ranged from cells to an organism, declaring a noteworthy prospect in disease diagnosis, especially for Alzheimer's disease (AD), a common neurodegenerative disease with over-expressed BChE. Moreover, its excellent work for inhibition efficacy elucidation was also proved with the accuracy IC₅₀ of tacrine for BChE (8.6 nM), giving rise to an expanded application for trace pesticide determination.

Fluorogenic Enzyme-Triggered Domino Reactions Producing Quinoxalin-2(1H)-one-based Heterocycles

A simple and effective biocompatible domino reaction triggered by a model protease and leading to the formation of strongly fluorescent quinoxalin-2(1H)-one N-heterocycles is described. Some positive attributes including versatility and the ability to provide outstanding fluorescence "OFF-ON" responses were revealed by this work. They open the way for practical applications of this novel type of "covalent-assembly"-based fluorescent probe in the fields of sensing and bioimaging.