A rapid cell-permeating turn-on probe for sensitive and selective detection of sulfite in living cellsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c8ob01908h

• Main Authors: Xu, Jing, Zheng, Da-Jun, Su, Mi-Mi, Chen, Yan-Chi, Jiao, Qing-Cai, Yang, Yu-Shun, Zhu, Hai-Liang
• Format: Journal Article
• Published: 26.09.2018
• ISSN: 1477-0520; 1477-0539
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ob01908h

A rapid cell-permeating probe NJUXJ-1 was introduced for sensitive and selective detection of sulfite in living cells. It generated a turn-on response to sulfite with high sensitivity (detection limit 13.0 nM) and selectivity (at a physiological level) and low toxicity. The fluorescence of the detecting system was steady for a wide pH range (5-8) and a long period of time (over 12 h). The most attractive point, its rapid cell-permeating ability, made it suitable for bioimaging with a 2 min incubation time and shortened the whole detecting period (cell-permeation and reaction), and thus could decrease background interference. It offered a convenient approach for determining exogenous or endogenous sulfite levels in living cells and further applications. A rapid cell-permeating probe NJUXJ-1 was introduced for sensitive and selective detection of sulfite in living cells.