Mitochondrial targeted fluorescent probe with AIE characteristics for bioimaging

•The fluorescent probe exhibited AIE characteristics.•The fluorescent probe could specifically localize in mitochondrial.•The fluorescent probe could be used as optical imaging probe for in vivo imaging.

In this work, a new benzothiazole based mitochondrial tracker, Bth-Mito, is synthesized by with 2-benzothiazoleacetonitrile and 4-(diethylamino)-benzaldehyde. Bth-Mito is weakly fluorescent when dissolved in the good solvent but becomes highly emissive in poor solvents, showing a phenomenon of aggregation-induced emission. Bth-Mito shows the greatest potentials for bioimaging applications in view of low cytotoxicity and high photostability. Bth-Mito could penetrate cells to give stable green fluorescence, even after continuous irradiation, making it suitable candidate for time-lapse and long-term bioimaging application. Moreover, Bth-Mito could specifically localize in mitochondrial. Furthermore, in vivo imaging studies on nude mice have revealed that Bth-Mito could be used as optical imaging probe for in vivo imaging. Histological assessment of tissues treated with Bth-Mito also further confirmed the low toxicity and good biocompatibility of Bth-Mito.