Dinitrobenzene ether reactive turn-on fluorescence probes for the selective detection of H2S

Activity-Based Fluorescent Probes for Hydrogen Sulfide and Related Reactive Sulfur Species

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is not only a well-established toxic gas but also an important small molecule bioregulator in all kingdoms of life. In contemporary biology, H2S is often classified as a "gasotransmitter," meaning that it is an endogenously produced membrane permeable gas that carries out essential cellular processes. Fluorescent probes for H2S and related reactive sulfur species (RSS) detection provide an important cornerstone for investigating the multifaceted roles of these important small molecules in complex biological systems. A now common approach to develop such tools is to develop "activity-based probes" that couple a specific H2S-mediated chemical reaction to a fluorescent output. This Review covers the different types of such probes and also highlights the chemical mechanisms by which each probe type is activated by specific RSS. Common examples include reduction of oxidized nitrogen motifs, disulfide exchange, electrophilic reactions, metal precipitation, and metal coordination. In addition, we also outline complementary activity-based probes for imaging reductant-labile and sulfane sulfur species, including persulfides and polysulfides. For probes highlighted in this Review, we focus on small molecule systems with demonstrated compatibility in cellular systems or related applications. Building from breadth of reported activity-based strategies and application, we also highlight key unmet challenges and future opportunities for advancing activity-based probes for H2S and related RSS.

A resorufin-based fluorescent probe for hydrazine detection and its application in environmental analysis and bioimaging

Hydrazine (N2H4) is an important industrial raw material that has been widely used in industrial production and agricultural interventions, but its widespread application also inevitably causes environmental pollution. In this study, based on resorufin, we constructed a novel "turn-on" fluorescent probe RFT for the selective detection of hydrazine under complex environmental conditions and in vivo. The probe RFT exhibited excellent stability and selectivity towards the detection of hydrazine with a low detection limit of 260 nM. In addition, RFT was successfully applied to the detection of hydrazine in environmental water samples and living cells. Most importantly, RFT could not only detect the exogenous hydrazine in zebrafish and mice, but also image and visualize the up-regulation of endogenous hydrazine induced by isoniazid in zebrafish.

A mitochondria-targeted chemiluminescent probe for detection of hydrogen sulfide in cancer cells, human serum and in vivo

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a critical messenger molecule plays vital roles in regular cell function. However, abnormal levels of H2S, especially mitochondrial H2S, are directly correlated with the formation of pathological states including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer. Thus, monitoring fluxes of mitochondrial H2S concentrations both in vitro and in vivo with high selectivity and sensitivity is crucial. In this direction, herein we developed the first ever example of a mitochondria-targeted and H2S-responsive new generation 1,2-dioxetane-based chemiluminescent probe (MCH). Chemiluminescent probes offer unique advantages compared to conventional fluorophores as they do not require external light irradiation to emit light. MCH exhibited a dramatic turn-on response in its luminescence signal upon reacting with H2S with high selectivity. It was used to detect H2S activity in different biological systems ranging from cancerous cells to human serum and tumor-bearing mice. We anticipate that MCH will pave the way for development of new organelle-targeted chemiluminescence agents towards imaging of different analytes in various biological models.

H2S Sensors: Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Selected Biomedical Applications under Visible and NIR Light

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an essential signaling gas within the cell, and its endogenous levels are correlated with various health diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, Down's syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Because it plays such diverse biological functions, being able to detect H₂S quickly and accurately in vivo is an area of heightened scientific interest. Using probes that fluoresce in the near-infrared (NIR) region is an effective and convenient method of detecting H₂S. This approach allows for compounds of high sensitivity and selectivity to be developed while minimizing cytotoxicity. Herein, we report a review on the synthesis, mechanisms, optical properties, and selected biomedical applications of H₂S sensors.

The coumarin-pyrazole dye for detection of hydrogen sulfide in cells

Fluorescent probes for H₂S are often interfered by other thiols. In this work, a coumarin-pyrazole dye with 2,4-dinitrosulfonyl group was designed for the detection of H₂S. The probe exhibits weak fluorescence in water due to the photo induced electron transfer (PET) by 2,4-dinitrosulfonyl. After the sulfonyl group is cleaved off by H₂S, strong fluorescence appears. The probe can specifically detect H₂S without being interfered by other biological thiols, and shows a wide applicable pH range, low detection and wide detection range. The excellent detection properties of the probe can also be used to detect endogenous and exogenous H₂S in cells. In addition, the probes can be made into portable test paper for the detection of H₂S in solutions and can detect H₂S in different water samples.

An Efficient Inclusion Complex Based Fluorescent Sensor for Mercury (II) and its Application in Live-Cell Imaging

The formation of an inclusion complex between hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (H-CD) and 4-acetylphenyl-4-(((6-chlorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-imino)-methyl)-benzoate (L) was investigated by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-Raman, scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques in the solid-state, absorption and emission spectroscopy in the liquid state and the virtual state as molecular docking technique. The binding properties of the inclusion complex (H-CD: L) with cations in deionized water was observed via absorbance and photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy. The fluorescence probe (H-CD: L) inclusion complex (IC) was examined for several heavy metal cations, and identified that the PL emission wavelength of the complex displayed a continuous rise in the fluorescence intensity for Hg²⁺. A linearity range of 1 × 10^-8 - 11 × 10^-8 M and limit of detection value of 2.71 × 10^-10 M was found to be achieved for the detection of Hg²⁺. This outcome proves that the inclusion complex H-CD: L would be a promising material for the development a solid-state fluorescence probe for detecting Hg²⁺. It also shows application in real sample analysis and cell imaging.