Nitric oxide (NO) plays crucial role in human physiology as a cellular signaling molecule and involves in many physiological and pathological processes. Since NO is very reactive species and produced in low concentrations in cells, it is very difficult to sensitively and selectively detect NO in living cells. Among the different detection methods, the fluorometric approach is one of the most promising methods for in vivo nitric oxide imaging at cellular level under physiological conditions because of its high sensitivity and selectivity. BODIPY is one of the stable fluorescent probes at physiological conditions and also has high fluorescent quantum yields in aqueous solution. Using these desirable properties of BODIPY, we designed and successfully synthesized a BODIPY-based fluorescent probe for nitric oxide  by incorporating NO receptors at 2,6 positions of BODIPY and branched oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether residues to BODIPY at meso position to enhance the water solubility of BODIPY dye.  This highly water-soluble BODIPY-based fluorescent ON/OFF probe is used in the detection of nitric oxide in living cells with high sensitivity and selectivity.

Highly water-soluble BODIPY-based fluorescent probe for nitric oxide detection in living cells

244th National Meeting (2012)

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