The synthesis and application of a lysosome-targeted-fluorescent probe for the detection of biothiols

Abstract

As an important member of bio-active species, biological thiols have been proved to play pivotal roles in cellular growth in cells. In this paper, we have designed and synthesized a new coumarin-based off-on fluorescent probe (Lyso-thiol ) for the selective detection of biothiols in aqueous solution and in living cells. Lyso-thiol has been prepared by a 2-step procedure using morpholine as the lysosome-targeting group. The probe has successfully realized the linear quantitative detection of biothiols in a relatively large concentration scope. Moreover, under the saturated concentration of the biological thiols, the fluorescence intensity of the probe can be enhanced by as much as 745 times. The intracellular experiments have also confirmed the low cytotoxity and exceptional biocompatibility of the probe. It is validated both in HeLa and HepG 2 cells that Lyso-thiol is capable of specifically targeting lysosome and vividly imaging biothiols in cellular level.