A turn-on fluorescent GFP chromophore analog for highly selective and efficient detection of H2S in aqueous and in living cells

Hydrogen sulphide is a gaseous neurotransmitter responsible for neuronal function and controls vast range of physiological functions. Herein, we report the synthesis and evaluation of novel Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) chromophore analog, acryloyl-4-(p-hydroxybenzylidene)-5-imidazolidinone (AHBI) for turn-on fluorescent detection of H2S over wide range of anions and various biologically important competitive thiols. AHBI probe exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity, high fluorescence stability, large stokes shift and lower detection limit (15.85 ppb) for H2S in complete water medium. Cell imaging studies in human colon cancer cells (HCT116) and normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) confirmed the compatibility and versatility of AHBI probe at micromolar level. Overall, we believe the AHBI, as an optical probe will be useful to investigate the role of H2S in various physiological processes, regulation of cancer cell growth, and in pathogenic events.