Recent Progresses on Mitochondria-Targetable Fluorescent Probes

Over the past few years, many bifunctional fluorescent probes based on small organic molecules, which can be located on the mitochondria to detect specific reactive small molecules (RSMs), including reactive oxygen species, reducing species, metal ions, proton and small anions, have been reported to be successful in achieving visual imaging in mitochondria. For further detection and imaging of the reactive small molecules in tissue, the design and synthesis of two-photon fluorescent probes and near-infrared fluorescent probes bearing good optical properties become increasingly popular. The recently reported mitochondrial fluorescent probes are classified, summarized and reviewed. The bright prospects of these probes in the application of preliminary diagnosis and therapy of some diseases are also discussed.