Near-infrared Fluorescent Probe for ImagingMitochondrial Hydrogen Polysulfides in Living Cells and in vivo

Hydrogen polysulfides (H₂S_n, n> 1), derived from hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), have attractedincreasing attention in biochemical research, which may perform as the actualsignaling molecules during cell signaling processes. Due to the closedbiological and chemical relationship between H₂S and H₂S_n,it is of great value to develop sensitive and specific techniques todistinguish the intracellular level of H₂S_n. In order toimprove the understanding of the physiological and pathological roles played byH₂S_n, we now develop a specific fluorescent probe Mito-ssfor capturing H₂S_n in cells and in vivo. When triggeredby H₂S_n, Mito-ss replies a turn-on fluorescence signaland exhibits a higher selectivity towards H₂S_n than otherabundant competing biothiols, such as glutathione, cysteine and H₂S.The probe Mito-ss can also be applied to visual H₂S_n inliving cells, as well as in vivo, providing a potentially powerful approach forprobing H₂S_n in biological systems.

越来越多的实验表明，多硫化氢是其实际上的生理性活动信号分子，硫化氢只是多硫化氢生理性活动中所释放的标志物。我们报道一种用于检测活细胞线粒体内多硫化氢的近红外荧光探针。探针采取硝基氟化苯作为多硫化氢的响应基团，选取亲脂性三苯基阳离子作为线粒体定位基团。在活性硫、活性氮、活性氧存在下，该线粒体定位探针对多硫化氢具有高选择性。我们还验证了硫化氢和活性氧反应可产生多硫化氢，并且CSE酶和CBS酶对多硫化氢的产生起着重要的作用。探针还成功的应用于检测活细胞外源性以及内源性的多硫化氢，同时还应用于小鼠内多硫化氢的荧光成像。实验中，我们还检测了小鼠脏器组织（脑、肾、肝、心、肺）匀浆中多硫化氢的浓度水平。

Min Gao,† Fabiao Yu,† Hao Chen, and Lingxin Chen Anal. Chem., Anal. Chem., 2015, 87 (7), pp 3631–3638 DOI: 10.1021/ac5044237