A coumarin-based probe with far-red emission for the ratiometric detection of peroxynitrite in the mitochondria of living cells and mice
Yu-Man Tian, Hui-Juan Lai, Wei‐Na Wu, Xiao‐Lei Zhao, Yuan Wang, Yun-Chang Fan, Zhi-Hong Xu, Tony D. James
Abstract
Peroxynitrite (ONOO − ) is a transient and reactive oxidant with significant roles in numerous biological processes. Research has established a correlation between excessive mitochondrial ONOO − production and various diseases. As such we developed a mitochondria-targeting, fluorescence-based ratiometric probe using a boronate group for ONOO − recognition and coumarin as the fluorophore. The probe exhibited a 615 nm far-red emission, and a new fluorescence emission at 475 nm developed upon adding ONOO − .The probe possessed high sensitivity and selectivity for ONOO − detection with distinct ratiometric fluorescent output and a low detection limit of 11 nM. Significantly, Probe 1 could monitor ONOO − level fluctuations in biological systems due to its superior spectral properties and low toxicity. Notably, probe 1 has been effectively used for imaging in live HepG2 cells, zebrafish, Arabidopsis thaliana , and liver injury mouse tissues. • A COUPY-based fluorescent probe with deep red emission was developed. • The probe can detect ONOO − via a ratiometric output. • The probe can be used for imaging changes of ONOO − in vivo. • The probe was used to monitor ONOO − change in plant cells under Cd 2+ stress.