Novel NIR fluorescent probe with dual models for sensitively and selectively monitoring and imaging Cys in living cells and mice

Cys plays paramount roles in human physiologies and pathologies. Abnormal levels of Cys are linked to a variety of diseases. Near-infrared fluorescence probe capable of detecting intracellular Cys in vivo would be beneficial to the study of mechanisms of certain diseases. Herein, we reported a rational and novel dual-site fluorescence probe JC-2 responded to Cys, which enjoyed different modes of fluorescence signals towards different concentration ranges of Cys. The probe was cell-membrane-permeable and could selectively detect Cys over other species. The potential biological utility of JC-2 was based on the fluorescence imaging of Cys in living cells and animals. The combined results elucidated the promising application of JC-2 in pathological analysis for diseases related to Cys. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.