A lysosome-targeting colorimetric and fluorescent dual signal probe for sensitive detection and bioimaging of hydrogen sulfide

Abstract

In this study, we developed a lysosome-targeting fluorescent probe, 3-(2,4-dinitrophenoxy)-2-(4-morpholinophenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (DMC), for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) based on excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). Upon the treatment with H₂S, a significant enhancement in the fluorescence was observed along with a distinct color change from yellow to colorless. This probe shows a low background spectroscopic signal, large Stokes shift, good sensitivity, and high selectivity towards H₂S. Most importantly, DMC has low toxicity and excellent cell permeability, and could be applied to visualizing H₂S in lysosomes.