A highly specific probe for sensing hydrogen sulfide in live cells based on copper-initiated fluorogen with aggregation-induced emission characteristics

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Xin Li, Zhejiang University; Chengyu Yang, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University; Kai Wu, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University; Yongzhou Hu, Zhejiang University; Yifeng Han, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University; Steven Huan Liang, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-01-01
• Publisher: Ivyspring International Publisher
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © Ivyspring International Publisher.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.7150/thno.10330
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Theranostics
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 12
• Start Page: 1233
• End Page: 1238
• Keywords: HeLa Cells; aggregation-induced emission; Fluorescent Dyes; Copper; Humans; cell imaging; fluorescent probe; Hydrogen Sulfide; hydrogen sulfide; Cells; Biosensing Techniques
• Research Categories: Biology, Cell; Chemistry, Biochemistry

Abstract

Here we reported the first fluorescent probe with aggregation-induced emission characteristics, namely AIE-S, for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in live cells. The detection system is selective for complicated biological application and the response is fast enough to complete within seconds. Moreover, the probe exhibits the unique advantage of being immune to aggregation-caused quenching which is a detrimental phenomenon limiting the application of most current available H2S fluorescent probes. The detection mechanism was investigated and postulated to be S2- initiated de-coordination and thereafter aggregation of the AIE-S complex.