Dynamic mapping of spontaneously produced H2S in the entire cell space and in live animals using a rationally designed molecular switch. Issue 8 (21st March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Linlin; Zhao, Jun; Yu, Xinling; Zhang, Ruilong; Han, Guangmei; Liu, Renyong; Liu, Zhengjie; Zhao, Tingting; Han, Ming-Yong; Zhang, Zhongping
• Is Part Of: Analyst. Volume 143:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: 1881
• Page End: 1889
• Publication Date: 2018-03-21
• Subjects: Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; 543
• DOI: 10.1039/c7an01802a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-2654

Abstract

Abstract : A rationally designed molecular switch created to detect and dynamically map spontaneous production of H2 S in whole cells and the organs of live zebrafish. Abstract : Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) is a key signaling molecule in the cytoprotection, vascular mediation and neurotransmission of living organisms. In-depth understanding of its production, trafficking, and transformation in cells is very important in the way H2 S mediates cellular signal transductions and organism functions; it also motivates the development of H2 S probes and imaging technologies. A fundamental challenge, however, is how to engineer probes with sensitivity and cellular penetrability that allow detection of spontaneous production of H2 S in the entire cell space and live animals. Here, we report a rationally designed molecular switch capable of accessing all intracellular compartments, including the nucleus, lysosomes and mitochondria, for H2 S detection. Our probe comprised three functional domains (H2 S sensing, fluorescence, and biomembrane penetration), could enter almost all cell types readily, and exhibit a rapid and ultrasensitive response to H2 S (≤120-fold fluorescence enhancement) for the dynamic mapping of spontaneously produced H2 S as well as its distribution in the whole cell. In particular, the probe traversed blood/tissue/cell barriers to achieve mapping of endogenous H2 S in metabolic organs of a live Danio rerio (zebrafish). These results open-up exciting opportunities to investigate H2 S physiology and H2 S-related diseases.