A multi-signal mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe for real-time visualization of cysteine metabolism in living cells and animals

Abstract

In this study, we developed a multi-signal mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe (NIR-Cys) for simultaneous detection of Cys and its metabolite, SO₂. In the design of the probe, the acrylate group and the CC of the coumarin ring were used as the recognizing moiety for Cys and SO₂, respectively. The probe exhibited high sensitivity, excellent specificity, and fast response. NIR-Cys was found to precisely target and visualize Cys metabolism in mitochondria of living cells with a multi-fluorescence signal. This probe is expected to be a useful tool for understanding Cys metabolism.