A novel indanone-derivated fluorescence sensor for Cysteine detection and biological imaging

Unlike normal regulating process on linear-arranged donor-x-acceptor system, this work provided a concept of using modified groups to impact the optical properties of the primary fluorophore. Using this concept, we set the hydroxyl-containing indanone as the fluorophore, and introduced various arylidene units to influence the electron withdrawing potential of the C=O unit on indanone. Accordingly, a novel indanone-derivated fluorescence sensor for Cys, IND-Cysl, was provided with the structural modification. The linear correlation was applicative for physiological monitoring of Cys (1.0-7.0 equiv. to cover 30-200 mu M). The LOQ was tested as 80 nM (0.008 equiv.). IND-Cyst also had high selectivity for Cys, especially for distinguishing high concentrated GSH (100-fold). It was successfully applied to detect Cys in living cells. Far more than providing a useful tool, this work might supply important information for further systematic optimization of corresponding monitoring implements.