A sensitive and selective fluorescence probe for the detection of superoxide radical anion in vivo based on a protection-deprotection process

Superoxide radical anion (O.-2 ) plays vital roles in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Thus, it is in great demand to develop an efficient fluorescence probe for the measurement of O.-2 . In the investigation, a new fluorescence probe NAP-SCM was developed for detection of O.-2 on the basis of a protection-deprotection process. This probe, which utilizes coumarin as the fluorescent platform and 1,8-naphthalimidesulfonyl as the masking moiety, could monitor O.-2 with good specificity, rapid response and low detection limit. More importantly, probe NAP-SCM displayed negligible cytotoxicity, good bio-compatibility and excellent capability of tracking the endogenous superoxide radical anion in live cells and live animals. The favorable observations illustrated that this probe has the promising potential to provide a valuable support for exploring the role(s) played by O.-2 in the biologically functional processes.