A lysosome-targeted fluorescent probe for the specific detection and imaging of formaldehyde in living cells

We presented herien the rational design, synthesis, and photophysical property studies of the lysosome-targeted fluorescence FA probe NP-Lyso, an isopropyl group modified ortho-diaminonaphthalimide derivative. After the reaction of FA and ortho-phenylenediamine modified with the isopropyl group in NP-Lyso, the probe exhibited favorable features such as a large fluorescence enhancement, specific selectivity and high sensitivity for the detection of FA. More importantly, NP-Lyso could be used to detect and image endogenous FA in lysosomes. In light of these prominent properties, we envision that NP-Lyso will be an efficient optical imaging approach for investigating the biofunctions of FA in living systems. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The article introduces a novel fluorescence probe NP-Lyso for detecting and imaging formic acid (FA) in lysosomes, which shows promising features after rational design and synthesis, providing a potential approach for investigating the biofunctions of FA in living systems.