A new water-soluble and mitochondria-targeted fluorescence probe for ratiometric detection of hypochlorous acid in living cells

A new FRET-based ratiometric fluorescence probe for hypochlorous acid was developed. The FRET platform was constructed by a coumarin moiety as the energy donor and (E)-4-(4-(dialkylamino)styryl)-1-methylpyridin-1-ium iodide as the energy acceptor in which double bonds was recognition group for hypochlorous acid. Significantly, the water-soluble probe showed good selectivity, sensitivity, and lower detection limit (89 nM) for hypochlorous acid in optimal working condition. Moreover, the probe with good photo-stability and lower toxicity could successfully detect exogenous and endogenous hypochlorous acid and target mitochondria in living cells.