Lipid droplet-specific near-infrared fluorescent probe for discriminating cancer and normal cells and diagnosing fatty liver.

Lipid droplets (LDs) is a newly essential organelle, which participates in carious physiological and pathological processes. LDs are considered as potential markers for disease diagnosis. Specific imaging of LDs is useful to understand their basic biological function and to diagnose diseases. Here we designed and synthesized two fluorescent probes based on the low polarity and high viscosity in LDs. The terminal probe ZH-2 exhibits lipophilicity, NIR emission, viscosity sensitivity, and LDs specificity. The probe has been successfully used for visualizing LDs metabolism, discriminating between normal and cancerous cells, and diagnosing fatty liver disease.

A simple ratiometric fluorescent probe for two-photon imaging of carbon monoxide in living cells and zebrafish.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an important gas signaling molecule and has been widely involved in regulating important life processes. Effective monitoring of CO in living systems is critical. Combined with the accuracy of ratio detection and the advantages of two-photon imaging, a simple ratiometric two-photon fluorescent probe RTFP was rationally designed and synthesized using 7-(diethylamino)-4-hydroxycoumarin as a two-photon fluorophore and allyl carbonate as the reactive unit. Probe RTFP exhibited excellent selectivity and sensitivity towards CO, and was successfully applied to image endogenous CO in living cells and zebrafish.