A multi-signal mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe for simultaneously distinguishing biothiols and realtime visualizing its metabolism in cancer cells and tumor models

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) Vol. 267; p. 125104
• Main Authors: Lan, Jinshuai, Liu, Li, Li, Zhe, Zeng, Ruifeng, Chen, Lixia, He, Yitian, Wei, Hai, Ding, Yue, Zhang, Tong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.01.2024
• Subjects: Bioimaging; Biothiols; Fluorescent probe; Metabolism; Mitochondria; Sulfur dioxide; Biothiols; Bioimaging; Mitochondria; Metabolism; Sulfur dioxide; Fluorescent probe
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.125104

Biothiols and its metabolite SO2 derivatives play vital roles in various physiological processes. Although a few probes have been designed for monitoring the metabolism of biothiols, developing multi-signal fluorescent probes with practicability for simultaneously distinguishing biothiols (GSH, Cys and Hcy) and real-time visualizing SO2 derivatives is an enormous challenge. To better visualize biothiols metabolism in vitro and vivo, we developed a novel multi-signal NIR fluorescent probe (probe 2) with mitochondria-targeted for distinguishing biothiols and its metabolism, based on an ICT-PET synergetic mechanism. Probe 2 with dual recognition sites distinguishing detected Cys/Hcy (Red-Green), GSH (Green) and SO32− (Blue) via three channels. First probe 2 distinguished Cys and GSH to estimate main biothiols in living cells through the ratio changes of two well-defined emission bands (Red-Green), and then imaged its metabolite SO2 with ratiometric fluorescence (Red-Blue), eliminating the interference by different biothiols. Notably, probe 2 exhibits satisfactory sensitivity (detection limit: 0.21, 0.13, 0.14 and 3.06 μM for Cys, Hcy, GSH and SO32−, respectively), high selectivity, reliability at physiological pH, and rapid fluorescence response (within 10 min). Given these advantages, probe 2 has been successfully applied to the real-time monitor GSH metabolic process in MCF-7 cells and biothiols metabolism in breast cancer, suggesting biothiols metabolic changes might be a diagnostic indicator during cancer treatment. So probe 2 is a convenient and efficient tool for understanding the physiological functions of biothiols and its metabolism. [Display omitted] •A novel multi-signal NIR fluorescent probe with mitochondria-targeted was developed.•The probe separately distinguished biothiols and sequentially sensed metabolite SO2.•The probe could real-time monitor biothiols metabolism in cells, zebrafish and tumor.