A dual-responsive fluorescent probe for detection of H2O2 and HClO in living cells and Caenorhabditis elegans

A dual-responsive fluorescent probe FDOCl-N-Na was designed and synthesized for the detection of two reactive oxygen species (ROSs) H2O2 and HClO. FDOCl-N-Na displayed individual response toward H2O2 and HClO presenting green and red fluorescence, respectively. FDOCl-N-Na was able to simultaneously monitor the cellular variations of H2O2 and HClO with high selectivity, and high sensitivity under a wide application range of pH. The cell imaging experiments demonstrated that FDOCl-N-Na could successfully distinguish cancer cells from normal cells base on abnormal expression of H2O2 and HClO. Moreover, FDOCl-N-Na also could be applied to tracing the fluctuation of H2O2 and HClO in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Automated summary

A dual-responsive fluorescent probe FDOCl-N-Na was synthesized for detecting two reactive oxygen species (ROSs) H2O2 and HClO. FDOCl-N-Na exhibited distinct responses towards H2O2 and HClO, showing green and red fluorescence respectively. It could simultaneously monitor the cellular changes of H2O2 and HClO with high selectivity and sensitivity over a wide pH range. Cell imaging experiments demonstrated its ability to differentiate cancer cells from normal cells based on the abnormal expression of H2O2 and HClO. Moreover, FDOCl-N-Na was also employed for tracking the fluctuation of H2O2 and HClO in Caenorhabditis elegans.