A near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent probe for cysteine detection over glutathione indicating mitochondrial oxidative stress in vivo

We establish a near-infrared (NIR) ratiometric fluorescent probe Cy-NB for the selective detection of cysteine (Cys) over glutathione (GSH) and homocysteine (Hcy) in mitochondria to indicate oxidative stress. Heptamethine cyanine dye is chosen as the fluorophore of Cy-NB whose emission locates in NIR region. And p-nitrobenzoyl is employed as the fluorescent modulator due to its capability of selective-Cys response. Once triggered by Cys, the uncaged p-nitrobenzoyl rearranges the polymethine π-electron system of the fluorophore, which leads to a remarkable spectrum shifts in absorption and emission profiles. Taking advantage of these spectroscopic properties, we construct a ratiometric fluorescent signal for the detection of Cys with a detection limit of 0.2 µM within 5 min. Our probe Cy-NB can sensitively detect the mitochondrial Cys pool changes under different oxidative stress status in HepG2 cells. We also successfully employ Cy-NB to imaging Cys level changes in living mice. It suggests that mitochondrial Cys can be used as an oxidative stress biomarker with simple potential clinical applications. And our probe Cy-NB is of great potential for further utilizing in exploring the physiological function of Cys in biological systems.