A xanthene-based fluorescent probe for detection of peroxynitrite in living cells and zebrafish

Abstract

Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is one of quite critical reactive oxygen species that acts critical roles in a number of diverse biological functions and pathological events. Notably, excessive ONOO− will lead to sorts of diseases. Thus, monitoring of endogenous ONOO− levels will be conducive to exploring the physiological activities and functions of ONOO−. Here, a simple turn-on fluorescent probe named DMX is reported using CN bond as the ONOO− recognition site and xanthene as the fluorophore. DMX possessed a good linear dependence with ONOO− concentration (0–9 μM), highly sensitive detection (DL = 37 nM), and excellent selectivity towards ONOO−. What is more, the biological experiments reveal that DMX is able to be utilized to track exogenous/endogenous ONOO− employing confocal laser scanning microscopy. Visualization of ONOO− in zebrafish was also successfully conducted, suggesting that DMX might be used to study ONOO− roles in vivo. We believe that DMX will have potential for exploring the pivotal role of ONOO− during all sorts of physiological and pathological activities.