A bifunctional fluorescent probe based on “AND logic” for the simultaneous recognition of H2S/HNO and its bioimaging applications

The reaction of NO and H2S to form HNO is a classical pathway in physiological conditions. The reported single recognition-type fluorescent probes are difficult to track precisely the relationships of H2S and HNO. It is necessary to develop a bifunctional fluorescence probe (NJA) for monitoring simultaneously the production of endogenous HNO and H2S. Using 7-Nitrobenzofurazan (NBD) and 2-(diphenylphosphine) benzoate as recognition sites, the obatined NJA can detect specifically HS- and HNO. The detection limit of HS- and HNO are 0.46 μM and 1.42 μM, respectively. Based on the dual recognition sites and input signals of the probe, a molecular "AND" logic gate was established to detect successfully H2S and HNO in MCF-7 cells. NJA based on "AND logic" provided a simple and robust tool for monitoring the production of endogenous HNO correlative with H2S and NO in living cells.