BODIPY-Based Fluorescent Probes for Biothiols

Fluorescent probes for biothiols have aroused increasing interest owing to their potential to enable better understanding of the diverse physiological and pathological processes related to the biothiol species. BODIPY fluorophores exhibit excellent optical properties, which can be readily tailored by introducing diverse functional units at various positions of the BODIPY core. In the present review, the development of fluorescent probes based on BODIPYs for the detection of biothiols are systematically summarized, with emphasis on the preferable detection of individual biothiols, as well as simultaneous discrimination among cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), reduced glutathione (GSH). In addition, organelle-targeting probes for biothiols are also highlighted. The general design principles, various recognition mechanisms, and biological applications are elaboratively discussed, which could provide a useful reference to researchers worldwide interested in this area.     

生物小分子巯基化合物荧光探针研究进展

细胞内的小分子巯基化合物在诸多生理过程中扮演重要角色.分子荧光探针具有灵敏度高、选择性好、生物相容性好、实时原位监测等优点.因此,构建可以选择性检测巯基化合物的荧光探针具有重要的生物学和医学意义.根据荧光探针与巯基化合物的反应类型总结了近几年来小分子巯基化合物荧光探针的设计策略和研究进展.     

Target‐Triggered NIR Emission with a Large Stokes Shift for the Detection and Imaging of Cysteine in Living Cells

Background autofluorescence from biological systems generally reduces the sensitivity of a fluorescent probe for imaging biological targets. Addressing this challenge requires the development of fluorescent probes that produce emission in the near‐infrared region. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a fluorescent probe that generates an NIR emission with a large Stokes shift upon the selective response to Cys over Hcy and GSH. The probe is designed to consist of two Cys‐sensing sites, an acrylate ester and an aldehyde installed ortho to each other. The reaction of the probe with Cys triggers an excited state intramolecular proton transfer process upon photo‐excitation, thereby producing an NIR emission with a large Stokes shift. Accordingly, this probe hold great promise for the selective detection of Cys in biological systems. We further demonstrate the capacity of this probe for Cys imaging in living cells.     

生物硫醇荧光探针的研究进展

生物硫醇(包含半胱氨酸、高半胱氨酸和谷胱甘肽)在生命活动中扮演了重要的角色,其浓度的异常变化与某些疾病息息相关,因此对硫醇的检测具有重要意义.荧光探针因具有灵敏度高、时空分辨率好、无损伤、可视化等优势,在生物硫醇的检测方面得到了高度重视.利用硫醇在分子结构上的共同点(含巯基的氨基酸)和差异(分子大小、亲核性、空间位阻、...     

一个具有大Stokes位移的苯并噻唑类pH荧光探针

本文通过乙烯基将作为荧光团的苯并噻唑与作为H+受体的4-吡啶基桥联构筑了一个基于分子内电荷转移机制的pH荧光探针BTP2。研究表明该探针的Stokes位移为237 nm,远大于相应2-吡啶基类似物BTP1。滴定实验表明该探针的荧光在pH3.80至5.50之间随pH值增大而增强,且不受其他金属离子的干扰,具有检测胞内酸性细胞器pH的良好前景。探针pKa为4.72,略高于BTP1。4-吡啶基连接导致的更大的Stokes位移表明调节吡啶连接位置可以实现对该类探针分子Stokes位移的调控。     

An Iminocoumarin Sulfonamide Based Turn‐On Fluorescent Probe for the Detection of Biothiols in Aqueous Solution

A new chemodosimeter for the highly selective sensing and imaging of biothiols was designed and realized in phosphate‐buffered saline solution at pH 7.4 through a fluorescence “off–on” response. A unique mechanism featuring a two‐step cascade (biothiols→H₂O) sequence for this remarkable recognition is disclosed for the first time.     

基于苯并吡喃腈的激活型半胱氨酸荧光探针

设计并合成了基于苯并吡喃腈为母体单元的近红外激活型荧光探针(E)-2-(苯并吡喃腈基)乙烯基-5-(二乙氨基)丙烯酸苯酯(DCM-AC),其结构中的丙烯酰酯键作为氨基酸激活反应的响应基团。 研究结果表明,探针分子DCM-AC对半胱氨酸具有高灵敏、选择性光谱响应,不仅能观察到明显的颜色变化,而且探针在710 nm处的荧光发射强度显著增强,相应的荧光增强比值与半胱氨酸的浓度(1.0~8.0 μmol/L)呈现良好的线性关系。 探针DCM-AC对半胱氨酸的检出限为2.8×10^-7 mol/L,能选择性检测半胱氨酸区别于结构类似的高半胱氨酸和谷胱甘肽,且不受其它氨基酸物质干扰。 通过质谱、核磁和紫外吸收光谱研究了DCM-AC检测半胱氨酸的反应激活机理:半胱氨酸先通过巯基与DCM-AC上的丙烯酰酯双键发生亲核加成,然后环化脱除内酰胺环状化合物。     

HPLC Study of Product Formed in the Reaction of NBD-Derived Fluorescent Probe with Hydrogen Sulfide,Cysteine, N-acetylcysteine,and Glutathione

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and its bioderivatives analogs, such as L-cysteine (L-Cys) and glutathione (GSH), are ubiquitous biological thiols in the physiological and pathological processes of living systems. Their aberrant concentration levels are associated with many diseases. Although several NBD-based fluorescence probes have been developed to detect biological thiols, the HPLC-detection of H₂S, GSH, L-Cys, and N-acetylcysteine-specific products has not been described. Herein, a novel NBD-derived pro-coumarin probe has been synthesized and used to develop a new strategy for the triple mode detection of H₂S and such thiols as GSH, L-Cys, and NAC. Hydrogen sulfide and those biothiols at physiological pH release fluorescent coumarin from the probe and cause a significant fluorescence enhancement at 473 nm. The appropriate NBD-derived product for H₂S, L-Cys, GSH, and NAC has a different color and retention time that allows distinguishing these biological thiols meaning the probe has a great possibility in the biological application. Fluorescent imaging combined with colorimetric and HPLC detection of H₂S/biothiol-specific product(s) brings a potential tool for confirming the presence of biological thiols and determining concentrations in various aqueous biological samples.     

大斯托克斯位移远红光至近红外荧光探针用于检测肝损伤过程中过氧化亚硝酸盐的动态变化

肝损伤是影响公众健康的重大问题之一, 已经引起了人们越来越多的关注. 而过表达的过氧化亚硝酸盐(ONOO^?)在肝损伤等疾病的发病机制中起着重要作用, 被认为是一种与早期肝损伤密切相关的生物活性分子. 因此, 为了探究ONOO^?在肝损伤过程中的作用, 开发可以实现肝损伤过程中ONOO^?高选择性和实时检测的分析方法具有重要意义. 本文报道了一种具有大斯托克斯位移的远红光至近红外(FR-NIR)ONOO^?荧光探针. 由于该探针具有大的斯托克斯位移, 可以有效消除光谱重叠和自吸收的干扰, 从而显著提高成像的信噪比. 此外, 该探针对ONOO^?具有高的灵敏度(检出限为25.8 nmol/L)和良好的选择性, 被成功用于药物诱导肝损伤过程中ONOO^?信号的成像检测.     

A Two-Photon Fluorescent Probe for the Visual Detection of Peroxynitrite in Living Cells and Zebrafish

Peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻), as an important reactive oxygen species (ROS), holds great potential to react with a variety of biologically active substances, leading to the occurrence of various diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, we developed a novel mitochondria-localized fluorescent probe, HDBT-ONOO⁻, which was designed as a mitochondria-targeting two-photon fluorescence probe based on 1,8-naphthylimide fluorophore and the reactive group of 4-(bromomethyl)-benzene boronic acid pinacol ester. More importantly, the probe exhibited good biocompatibility, sensitivity, and selectivity, enabling its successful application in imaging the generation of intracellular and extracellular ONOO⁻. Furthermore, exogenous and endogenous ONOO⁻ products in live zebrafish were visualized. It is greatly expected that the designed probe can serve as a useful imaging tool for clarifying the distribution and pathophysiological functions of ONOO⁻ in cells and zebrafish.     

一种快速响应的线粒体靶向荧光探针用于检测活细胞和斑马鱼中的次氯酸盐

以香豆素为荧光团,设计并合成了一种线粒体靶向荧光探针Cou-Py,用于检测ClO^-。由于肟基在激发态的C=N异构化,Cou-Py表现出非常微弱的荧光,能够实现ClO^-促发的脱氧反应,在5 s内实现荧光恢复。此外,Cou-Py对ClO^-表现出高的选择性和低的检测限（6.87 nmol·L^-1）。重要的是,Cou-Py已成功用于检测MCF-7细胞线粒体和斑马鱼幼虫中的ClO^-。     

一种检测生物硫醇荧光探针的合成与应用

基于硫醇诱导的迈克尔加成反应阻断探针的光诱导电子转移过程(PET)合成了一种基于氟化硼络合二吡咯甲川(Bodipy)类染料的荧光探针,该探针具有高灵敏度和选择性,可在生理条件下检测硫醇。利用核磁和高分辨质谱对探针结构进行了表征。当向探针溶液加入硫醇(0~1 000μmol/L)时,可在探针溶液的绿色光谱区域引起一个显著的荧光增强响应(增强至150倍)。同时,探针可以检测相对较低浓度的硫醇,对于含有硫醇的氨基酸(半胱氨酸、谷胱甘肽和高半胱氨酸)的检出限分别为4.5×10~(-7),1.2×10~(-7),2.1×10~(-7)mol/L。此外,相对于其他氨基酸,探针对硫醇具有较高的选择性和灵敏度。该方法成功实现了细胞内硫醇的荧光成像,证明该荧光探针在生物体系中具有潜在的应用能力。     

用于细胞和组织中弗林蛋白酶特异性成像的双光子荧光探针研究

弗林蛋白酶是前体蛋白转化酶家族中最具特色的酶之一,具有重要的生物学功能,其表达量水平与许多疾病有密切的关系,如癌症的发生和发展与弗林蛋白酶表达水平有着密切关联.目前文献中报道了一些单光子荧光探针用于弗林蛋白酶的检测,但这些探针不能应用于深层组织成像,且弗林蛋白酶在肿瘤发展过程的作用仍没有得到很好地研究.针对这些问题,本工作构建了一种新型双光子荧光探针Nap-F用于细胞和肿瘤组织内弗林蛋白酶的检测与双光子成像. Nap-F是由经典双光子荧光染料1,8-萘酰亚胺、弗林蛋白酶特异性多肽序列RVRR和自消除连接体整合而成.实验结果表明Nap-F对弗林蛋白酶具有很好的特异性,能够定量检测弗林蛋白酶的活性.在飞秒激光820nm激发下,Nap-F能有效降低生物背景,并提高组织穿透深度,适用于细胞和组织的双光子成像.Nap-F成功地实现了几种活细胞中弗林蛋白酶的双光子成像,揭示了癌细胞和表达缺陷细胞中弗林蛋白酶含量的差异.更重要的是,我们将该探针用于Co Cl2固定HIF-1构建的肿瘤细胞缺氧模型成像,实验结果表明弗林蛋白酶的表达与肿瘤细胞缺氧程度存在正相关性.     

选择性检测谷胱甘肽的荧光探针

本文设计合成了一种基于BODIPY衍生物选择性检测谷胱甘肽的比率式荧光探针1。荧光探针1中BODIPY的3位连有苯乙炔基团,5位连有咪唑盐离去基团,利用其与谷胱甘肽和半胱氨酸反应机理的不同实现了对谷胱甘肽的选择性检测。紫外可见吸收光谱和荧光光谱实验结果表明探针分子1与谷胱甘肽反应后的光谱发生明显红移,可以实现对谷胱甘肽的比率式检测。探针分子1对谷胱甘肽有极高的选择性,不受其它氨基酸尤其是半胱氨酸的干扰。荧光滴定实验表明探针分子1可实现对谷胱甘肽的定量检测,检测限为3.3×10-8 mol/L。探针分子成功地应用于活体细胞中检测谷胱甘肽。     

用于检测三苯基膦的一种新型“点亮”型荧光探针

三苯基膦(简称PPh3)是一种重要的有机物质并有独特的亲核性和还原性,广泛应用于有机及有机金属物质的合成.PPh3的广泛使用不可避免地导致对环境的污染,给人类的健康带来危害,因此,亟需一种简单高效的检测手段实现对三苯基膦的检测识别.在本工作中,我们效仿Staudinger连接反应设计合成了一个具有高选择性和高灵敏度的荧光增强型探针用以检测三苯基膦.探针的设计思想是使用荧光素的邻叠氮苯乙酯衍生物与PPh3反应,通过生成的氮杂叶立德,经由分子内酰基转移释放荧光团.该探针在含0.5％的DMSO水溶液中显示对PPh3的高选择性响应,可望在线性范围1×10-7 mol/L至8×10-7 mol/L之间实现对PPh3的定量检测,其检测极限达到10 nmol/L.对PPh3的灵敏检测可达到在水溶液中肉眼可视.     

一个基于NBD-NH2荧光团的增强型pH荧光探针及其细胞造影研究

本文以NBD-NH₂荧光团偶联N-(4-吡啶甲基)乙二胺质子受体构建了基于光致电子转移(PET)机制的pH探针NBD-Py。探针在pH5.0~8.5范围内显示pH降低导致的荧光增强响应,pK_a为6.48。响应不受胞内常见金属离子干扰且有良好的可逆性。研究表明质子受体中引入4-甲基吡啶修饰乙二胺是探针实现对弱酸/近中性pH响应的关键。HeLa细胞中的造影证实了探针的pHi造影能力和溶酶体靶向性能,为溶酶体pH相关的生理过程研究提供了新的可靠手段。     

基于香豆素的比率型次氯酸荧光探针

次氯酸(HCl O)是生物体内重要的活性氧(ROS)之一,在人类免疫功能系统中扮演着重要的角色,有助于对入侵细菌和病原体进行破坏。本文设计并合成了基于香豆素为母体单元的比率型次氯酸荧光探针。研究结果表明,该探针对次氯酸识别显示出较高的选择性,检测线低至12 mol/L,荧光响应可在5 s内迅速完成,并伴随着溶液颜色由无色转变为黄绿色。其它常见的阴离子及氧化型物质对次氯酸检测均无干扰。此外,高分辨率质谱、荧光光谱和紫外可见光谱变化共同证实了该探针对次氯酸的检测机制为次氯酸对探针氧化水解。     

一种选择性检测SO_2的荧光增强型探针的合成

SO_2作为一种重要的气体信号分子,其浓度异常与癌症、心血管疾病、神经系统疾病有关,因此有必要发展一种检测SO_2的分析方法。本文以1,1,2-三甲基-1H-苯并[e]吲哚和碘甲烷为原料合成中间体2;2与2,4-二甲基-5-醛基-1H-吡咯-3-羧酸经缩合反应合成了一个基于苯并吲哚和吡咯共轭的荧光增强型探针(3),其结构经1HNMR,13CNMR和HR-MS表征。探针3可以定量检测外源性SO_2,并且对SO_2具有良好的选择性,对其他阴离子和生物硫醇不响应或响应水平低。用350nm激发,探针3在450nm处的荧光强度随SO_2的浓度增加而增强。当SO_2浓度为0~100μmol·L~(-1)时,荧光强度与其呈良好的线性关系,相关系数R~2为0.997。     

A Golgi Apparatus-Targeting,Naphthalimide-Based Fluorescent Molecular Probe for the Selective Sensing of Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde (FA) is a colorless, flammable, foul-smelling chemical used in building materials and in the production of numerous household chemical goods. Herein, a fluorescent chemosensor for FA is designed and prepared using a selective organ-targeting probe containing naphthalimide as a fluorophore and hydrazine as a FA-binding site. The amine group of the hydrazine reacts with FA to form a double bond and this condensation reaction is accompanied by a shift in the absorption band of the probe from 438 nm to 443 nm upon the addition of FA. Further, the addition of FA is shown to enhance the emission band at 532 nm relative to the very weak fluorescent emission of the probe itself. Moreover, a high specificity is demonstrated towards FA over other competing analytes such as the calcium ion (Ca²⁺), magnesium ion (Mg²⁺), acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, salicylaldehyde, glucose, glutathione, sodium sulfide (Na₂S), sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and the tert-butylhydroperoxide radical. A typical two-photon dye incorporated into the probe provides intense fluorescence upon excitation at 800 nm, thus demonstrating potential application as a two-photon fluorescent probe for FA sensing. Furthermore, the probe is shown to exhibit a fast response time for the sensing of FA at room temperature and to facilitate intense fluorescence imaging of breast cancer cells upon exposure to FA, thus demonstrating its potential application for the monitoring of FA in living cells. Moreover, the presence of the phenylsulfonamide group allows the probe to visualize dynamic changes in the targeted Golgi apparatus. Hence, the as-designed probe is expected to open up new possibilities for unique interactions with organ-specific biological molecules with potential application in early cancer cell diagnosis.