A Golgi-targeting fluorescent probe for the detection of hydrazine in biological and environmental systems

Abstract

Hydrazine (N₂H₄) is regarded as an extremely toxic agent but it is used in large quantities as a chemical raw material in various industries, which poses a severe danger to both the environment and public health. Notably, the Golgi apparatus (GA) of hepatocytes is frequently affected by toxins in cases of hepatotoxicity. Therefore, developing a probe to monitor N₂H₄ in environmental systems and within the GA of live cells is highly valuable. A Golgi-targeting fluorescent probe, BHMBS, is synthesized to detect N₂H₄. The probe BHMBS emits faint green fluorescence at 550 nm, which is remarkably enhanced after adding N₂H₄. The probe can detect N₂H₄ with an ultra-short reaction time, high sensitivity, and excellent selectivity, making it a valuable tool to monitor N₂H₄ in the real world and image the N₂H₄ fluctuations in cells and zebrafish.