Nature‐inspired K<sup>+</sup>‐sensitive imaging probes for biomedical applications
Qiyue Wang, Shengfei Yang, Fangyuan Li, Daishun Ling
Abstract
Abstract In living systems, potassium ion (K + ) plays a vital role in a variety of physiological functions, whose dyshomeostasis has been seen as a biomarker of many diseases. Consequently, real‐time monitoring of K + dynamics would benefit disease diagnosis and offer insight into the pathogenic mechanisms as well as the progression of diseases. By learning from K + ‐specific substances in nature, such as ionophores, ion channels and DNA G‐quadruplex, this perspective introduces the ingenious designs, imaging functionalities, and response principles of K + ‐sensitive probes. Furthermore, the recent advances in K + probes for disease diagnosis, especially for brain disorders and tumors, are briefly summarized. Finally, we highlight the current challenges and future perspectives of K + ‐sensitive probes for biomedical applications.