Citation: Ao Wang, Ding-Heng Zhou, Hong Zhang, Xing Zeng, Nan Wang, Ming-Yu Wu, Xiao-Qi Yu, Kun Li, Shan-Yong Chen. Photochemistry regulated fluorescent dyes for real-time tracing subcellular migration in living cells[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(3): 111358. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111358 shu

Photochemistry regulated fluorescent dyes for real-time tracing subcellular migration in living cells

Ao Wang ^a ,
Ding-Heng Zhou ^a ,
Hong Zhang ^a ,
Xing Zeng ^a ,
Nan Wang ^b ,
Ming-Yu Wu ^a ,
Xiao-Qi Yu ^b ,
Kun Li ^{a, *,} ,
Shan-Yong Chen ^{a, *,}

a.
Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
b.
Department of Chemistry, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China

kli@scu.edu.cn

chensy@scu.edu.cn

Received Date: 4 March 2025
Revised Date: 18 May 2025
Accepted Date: 22 May 2025
Available Online: 23 May 2025

Figures(6)

Probes that can undergo photoconversion in situ within cells are advantageous tools for live cell imaging in terms of precise spatial and temporal control. We herein present a new concept to construct photoconvertible probes based on intramolecular oxygen direct arylation within cells. Xanthones bearing aryls (XO-Ars) were designed and prepared. XO-Ars undergo oxygen direct arylation under visible light irradiation in cells to afford xanthene derivatives (XE-Ars). XO-Ars initially accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with green emission and then migrate to the mitochondria with bright red emission. Sequential single-cell lighting up experiments show high spatiotemporal control ability and utility in single or multi-cell tracking. In addition, the photoproducts irradiated with optimized wavelength light source show excellent photodynamic therapy effects. As the duration of light exposure increases, the cells begin to undergo apoptosis. These innovative photoconvertible probes capable of migrating from ER to mitochondria driven by light provide a feasible approach for the in-situ monitoring of subcellular physiological events and cell apoptosis.
- Xanthone,
- Dual-color fluorescence,
- Photoconvertible probes,
- Oxygen direct arylation,
- Multiple subcellular organelles imaging
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沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142