A ratiometric near-infrared fluorescent probe based on a novel reactive cyanine platform for mitochondrial pH detection

J Mater Chem B. 2021 Jul 7;9(25):5150-5161. doi: 10.1039/d1tb00643f. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

Abstract

A near-infrared reactive cyanine platform (probe A) was prepared by condensation of 9-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-10-methyl-acridinium iodide with Fisher's aldehyde. A near-infrared fluorescent probe (probe B) was prepared by modifying a reactive chlorine atom of probe A with tert-butyl(2-aminoethyl)carbamate through a substitution reaction. The deprotection of the Boc group of probe B was achieved under an acidic condition, affording an amine-functionalized cyanine dye (probe C). A near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent probe (probe D) for mitochondrial pH detection was synthesized by conjugating a FRET coumarin donor to a FRET cyanine acceptor (probe C) through an amide bond connection. Probe A shows low fluorescence of 2% due to an electron-withdrawing chlorine atom, while probes B-D display high fluorescence quantum yields of 60%, 32%, and 35% in aqueous solutions containing 10% ethanol, respectively. Probes B-D show strong fluorescence with push-pull molecular structures in neutral and basic pH conditions. However, protonation of the probe's second amine at the 9-position under acidic condition disrupts the push-pull feature of the probes, resulting in fluorescence quenching of the new cyanine fluorophores. The probes can selectively stain mitochondria, while probe D was employed to detect pH changes in HeLa cells and Drosophila melanogaster first-instar larvae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbocyanines / chemistry*
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Infrared Rays
  • Mitochondria / chemistry*

Substances

  • Carbocyanines
  • Fluorescent Dyes