A convenient fluorescent probe for monitoring lysosomal pH change and imaging mitophagy in living cells

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. B, Chemical Vol. 330; p. 129363
• Main Authors: Xu, Hongkang, Bu, Yingcui, Wang, JunJun, Qu, Min, Zhang, Jie, Zhu, Xiaojiao, Liu, Gang, Wu, Zhichao, Chen, Guangmei, Zhou, Hongping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.03.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Cells (biology); Chemical synthesis; Coumarin; Fluorescent indicators; Lysosome probe; Lysosomes; Mitochondria; Mitophagy; Monitoring; pH-dependent; Wash-free lysosome imaging; Lysosome probe; Wash-free lysosome imaging; pH-dependent; Mitophagy
• ISSN: 0925-4005; 1873-3077
• DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2020.129363

A fluorescent probe Lyso-pH based on coumarin were prepared, which exhibited the remarkable pH sensitivity in aqueous solution. Lyso-pH with superior photo-stability realized conveniently the excellent lysosomal imaging with short incubation time. Furthermore, Lyso-pH not only could image the mitolysosome fused by mitophagosome and lysosome, but also could monitor the lysosomal pH changes during autophagy. These results could provide some important information for the interaction between mitochondria and lysosome in vital movement. [Display omitted] •Lyso-pH showed a sensitive response to weak acidic aqueous solution with good anti-interference and reversibility ability.•Lyso-pH has the advantages of short incubation time and no cleaning steps.•Lyso-pH can successfully monitor the change of the lysosomal pH of live cells in real time.•Lyso-pH can image the mitolysosome fused by mitophagosome and lysosome. Intracellular pH is an important physiological parameter, which is closely with the cellular behaviors and pathological processes. So, the accurate and sensitive monitoring of the intracellular pH of living cells is highly required. Herein, a coumarin-based fluorescent molecule Lyso-pH was designed and synthesized. The Lyso-pH displayed excellent pH sensitivity, anti-interference capability and reversible circulation ability in the acid range. Above all, Lyso-pH could image the mitolysosome fused by mitophagosome and lysosome as well as monitor lysosomal pH changes based on the excellent lysosomes-targeted capability and response to acid during mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy), which may supply some important information for the interaction between mitochondria and lysosome in vital movement.