A reversible fluorescence probe for detection of ClO-/AA redox cycle in aqueous solution and in living cells

Based on the reversible redox reaction of 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-1-ol with oxidative ClO- and reductive ascorbic acid (AA), a reversible fluorescent probe, incorporating 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-1-ol group into a 7-nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) fluorophore, was synthesized and studied for the cyclic detection of ClO-/AA in aqueous solution. The NBD-based probe displayed sensitive and selective On-Off-On fluorescent responses to ClO-/AA and was successfully applied to monitor the ClO-/AA redox cycle in living HeLa cells under physiological conditions. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.