Seminaphthofluorescein-Based Fluorescent Probes for Imaging Nitric Oxide in Live Cells

Abstract

Fluorescent turn-on probes for nitric oxide based on seminaphthofluorescein scaffolds were prepared and spectroscopically characterized. The Cu(II) complexes of these fluorescent probes react with NO under anaerobic conditions to yield a 20–45-fold increase in integrated emission. The seminaphthofluorescein-based probes emit at longer wavelengths than the parent FL1 and FL2 fluorescein-based generations of NO probes, maintaining emission maxima between 550 and 625 nm. The emission profiles depend on the excitation wavelength; maximum fluorescence turn-on is achieved at excitations between 535 and 575 nm. The probes are highly selective for NO over other biologically relevant reactive nitrogen and oxygen species including NO₃^–, NO₂^–, HNO, ONOO^–, NO₂, OCl^–, and H₂O₂. The seminaphthofluorescein-based probes can be used to visualize endogenously produced NO in live cells, as demonstrated using Raw 264.7 macrophages.