Repurposing a long-wavelength fluorescent boronate probe for the detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bacteria

Fluorescent probes are extensively used with ever-increasing functions for biological and medical applications. To further solve problems associated with tissue damage, long-wavelength fluorophores have been proposed for the construction of sensors with decreased energy requirements for activation and increased biocompatibility. As such we have repurposed an effective and biologically appliable probe TCF-Bpin combining boronate activating groups and a TCF-OH fluorophore, for monitoring the production of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) by bacteria upon treatment with antibiotics. In addition, externally added ONOO- was intracellularly visualized, which makes not only the detection of oxidative stress in bacteria possible but also increases the understanding of the mechanisms. A TCF boronate based probe developed for cellular imaging was repurposed to detect ROS in bacteria.