Rational Design of a Dual-Reactivity-Based Fluorescent Probe for Visualizing Intracellular HSNO

Thionitrous acid (HSNO), the smallest S-nitrosothiol, is emerging as a potential key intermediate in cellular redox regulation linking two signaling molecules H2S and NO. However, the chemical biology of HSNO remains poorly understood. A major hurdle is the lack of methods for selective detection of HSNO in biological systems. Herein, we report the rational design, synthesis, and evaluation of the first fluorescent probe TAP-1 for HSNO detection. TAP-1 showed high selectivity and sensitivity to HSNO in aqueous media and cells, providing a useful tool for understanding the functions of HSNO in biology.