A selective fluorescent sensor for cysteine detection with potential as a white light emitting fluorophore in living cell imaging

Abstract

A novel fluorescent sensor CysW-1 was introduced for cysteine detection via the cleavage reaction of two fluorophores. It exhibited advantages including high sensitivity, high selectivity and low toxicity. By optimizing the conditions, a relatively steady and practical white light emitting system was successfully generated. The system was applicable in a wide pH range (7.0–12.0) and a long period (over 12 h). The most attractive point of CysW-1 was its biocompatibility, which ensured the application of the white light emitting system in living cell imaging and further pre-clinical potential.