Mitochondrion-targeted two-photon probes: Real-time monitoring endogenous GSH via situ reaction in Hela cells

Abstract Mitochondria and glutathione (GSH) play crucial roles in human pathologies. To better understand the disease mechanisms, two-photon fluorescence probes responding to mitochondria and glutathione were urgently pursued. Here, a series of two-photon fluorescence probes ( 5a, 5b and 5c ) were prepared, which could detect GSH as well as target mitochondria. The probes delivered high and rapid selectivity towards GSH among the various biothiols and qualitatively monitored the endogenous cellular GSH in real-time via a two-photon laser confocal fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, the theoretical understanding of high selectivity in two-photon fluorescence probes were also performed. The combined results demonstrated that the probes would function as efficient tools in bio-imaging and biological diagnosis.