Fluorescent Probes for Hydrogen Sulfide Detection

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important signaling molecule with potent cytoprotective actions. Current results strongly suggest that modulation of H2S levels could have potential therapeutic values for a number of disease states, but its exact mechanisms of action are still unclear. A number of fundamental issues must be addressed to advance our understanding of the biology and clinical potential of H2S in the future. It is important, therefore, to understand the chemistry and properties of H2S and to appreciate the limitation and errors that may be generated when measuring H2S in biological samples. In the past several years a number of fluorescent probes for H2S detection have been developed. These probes are based on H2S-mediated reactions and are useful research tools. Herein, we provide an overview of current progress in this field. The development and properties of representative probes are discussed.