A single small molecule fluorescent probe for imaging RNA distribution and detecting endogenous SO2 through distinct fluorescence channels

Abstract

Fluorescent probes are a powerful tool in biological and biochemical fields. Herein, we prepared a new small molecule fluorescent probe PYQU as a robust tool that can explore the interaction between RNA and SO₂ in biological environments. The probe PYQU could detect SO₂ and RNA by a change in green and red fluorescence, respectively. Besides, the probe PYQU has excellent properties, such as low biological toxicity, good membrane permeability, and high selectivity. PYQU was used to detect SO₂ in living cells and zebrafish in the green channel and visualize endogenous RNA of cells with a deep red fluorescence signal. Therefore, we believe that the probe PYQU is a valuable, robust, and reliable tool for studies of RNA and SO₂.