An 'OFF-ON' fluorescent probe for specially recognize on Cys and its application in bioimaging

Up to date, the design of highly selective probes for Cys, Hcy, and GSH is still a challenge and very few examples have been reported so far. In this work, the compound, N-[4-Methylcoumarin-7-yl] maleimide was synthesized and it can specially recognize on Cys as an 'OFF ON' fluorescent probe. For specific recognition on Cys of probe depends on its maleimide group, the structural and acidic differences of biothiol itself. Furthermore, the ability of probe to detect Cys in living cells (HepG2 cells) via an enhancement of the fluorescence was proved. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.