A ratiometric fluorescent probe based on a novel fluorophore with high selectivity for imaging cysteine in living cells

• Published in: Luminescence (Chichester, England) England), 2024-06, Vol.39 (6), p.e4806-n/a
• Main Authors: Miao, Zhuo, Li, Cheng, Pang, Shude, Du, Chenxi, Wei, Ningning, Zhang, Yanru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; bioimaging; Cells (biology); Cysteine; Cysteine - analysis; Cysteine - chemistry; Fluorescent Dyes - chemical synthesis; Fluorescent Dyes - chemistry; Fluorescent indicators; HeLa Cells; Humans; Medical imaging; Molecular Structure; Neurological diseases; Optical Imaging; quinoline; ratiometric fluorescent probe; Renal function; Rheumatoid arthritis
• ISSN: 1522-7235; 1522-7243
• DOI: 10.1002/bio.4806

As a biothiol, cysteine (Cys) is essential to both physiological and pathological processes and has been associated with many diseases, including neurological disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and renal dysfunction. Therefore, the development of a high‐performance probe for detecting Cys levels can help prevent and diagnose disease. In this study, a ratiometric fluorescent probe based on a novel fluorophore was developed for detecting Cys, and it showed high specificity and a rapid response time toward Cys. This probe demonstrates excellent biocompatibility and has been utilized effectively for the imaging of Cys in living cells. Cysteine is associated with various diseases in the organism. Monitoring Cys levels is important for the study of related diseases. Here, a ratiometric fluorescent probe based on a novel fluorophore was designed for detecting Cys. The fluorophore exhibits a large Stokes shift and good photostability. The probe QL‐A shows high specificity and has been used to visualize Cys in living cells. It is a potential tool for exploring the role of Cys in biological processes and diseases.