A lysosome-targeted fluorescent probe with large Stokes shift for visualizing biothiols in vivo and in vitro

Summary: Lysosomal biothiols play critical roles in numerous cellular processes and diseases. Researching an effective method for real-time labeling biothiols in lysosomes is of great significance and urgency, as it could provide essential information for the diagnosis of relevant diseases. In this study, we developed a lysosome-targeted fluorescent probe (LY-DCM-P) with a large Stokes shift of 150 nm for the sensitive and selective detection of biothiols in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, LY-DCM-P showed low cytotoxicity and excellent lysosome-targeted ability. The probe was successfully employed to monitor fluctuations in lysosomal biothiols in various living systems, enabling enormous potential to accurately monitor the occurrence and progress of biothiol-related diseases.