A fluorescent probe with low-background for visualization of nitroxyl in living cells and zebrafish

The development of a fluorescence probe with a low-background is essential to improve the sensitivity of the turn-on fluorescence response. In this paper, we present a new activatable fluorescent probe with low background for HNO sensing and imaging. The probe exhibits very weak fluorescence in solution and undergoes a cascade reaction mediated by HNO to generate highly fluorescent iminocoumarin. Under physiological conditions, the probe can rapidly and selectively responds to HNO in the presence of other biological-related species including ROS, RNS, amino acids, cations, and anions. Importantly, the probe has been successfully used to visualize HNO in living HeLa cells and zebrafish larvae.

Automated summary

A new activatable fluorescent probe with low background for HNO sensing and imaging has been developed in this study. The probe shows weak fluorescence in solution and can selectively respond to HNO under physiological conditions. Importantly, it has been successfully used for visualizing HNO in living cells and organisms.