Small-molecule fluorogenic probes for mitochondrial nanoscale imaging

Abstract

This review highlights the design guidelines, structure–activity relationships of small-molecule fluorogenic probes (SMFPs), and latest advances in developing SMFPs for mitochondrial-specific nanoscale imaging.

Recent Development of Advanced Fluorescent Molecular Probes for Organelle-Targeted Cell Imaging

“…Thus far, the majority of the mitochondria-targeted molecular probes have been lipophilic cations, including intrinsic lipophilic cationic dyes, such as rhodamine ( 13 , Scheme 2 ) and cyanine ( 14 , Scheme 2 ). Moreover, triphenylphosphine ( TPP , 15 , Scheme 2 ) and pyridinium ( 16 , Scheme 2 ) are typical building blocks that can be modified as the mitochondria-targeted moieties on natural fluorophores [ 13 , 76 ]. The positive charge of the molecular probes is important for mitochondrial specificity because of the high potential of the IMM, as mentioned above.…”

“…Meanwhile, advanced molecular probes have been developed as structure probes of mitochondria with high specificity and low toxicity. Relying upon these developments, numerous probes have been applied to super-resolution cell imaging to help people in cellular and molecular biology monitor and investigate mitochondria-related bioprocesses [ 76 ].…”

Advances in probing single biomolecules: From DNA bases to glycans

“…[11][12][13][14][15] To gain insight into the biomolecular structure and conformations, various imaging techniques have been utilized to achieve this goal. [16][17][18] As already discussed in Dufrêne et al, [19] Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) can obtain the structure and conformation of proteins, and the structure of organisms with a molecular resolution. However, the sample used for characterizing by TEM needs drying and depositing on the grid, which can disrupt the biological activity of the molecules during the imaging process.…”

“…[ 11–15 ] To gain insight into the biomolecular structure and conformations, various imaging techniques have been utilized to achieve this goal. [ 16–18 ]…”

Fluorescent dyes based on rhodamine derivatives for bioimaging and therapeutics: recent progress, challenges, and prospects

“…With the rapid development of fluorescence analysis technology in recent years, small-molecule fluorescent probes have attracted increasing attention and have demonstrated good prospects for applications in biological imaging, drug screening and medical diagnosis. 1–25 Particularly, the design of small-molecule probes has attracted significant research attention owing to the highly specific response, fast sensitivity and excellent signal-to-noise ratio of activatable fluorescent probes. 26–32 In addition, the introduction of photodynamic therapy (PDT) has pushed molecular optics to new heights, and expanded the application scope of fluorescent probes beyond diagnostic imaging.…”