A fluorescent probe strategy for the detection and discrimination of hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite in cells

Aryl boronate fluorescent probes allow the non-invasive study of dynamic cellular processes involving the reactive species, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-). However, the ability of these probes to differentiate between these two species remains unclear. Here, we report a boronate-functionalised hemicyanine dye (HD-BPin) as a potential strategy to distinguish between H2O2 at 704 nm (red channel) and ONOO- at 460 nm (blue channel) in solution and in cells. This work also highlights the choice of fluorophore before boronate functionalization can dictate the observed selectivity between these two species.

Automated summary

Aryl boronate fluorescent probes have been used to study dynamic cellular processes involving reactive species such as H2O2 and ONOO-. However, it is still unclear whether these probes can differentiate between these two species. In this study, a boronate-functionalised hemicyanine dye was developed as a potential strategy to distinguish between H2O2 and ONOO- in solution and in cells.