Advances in fluorescent probes for targeting organelles: Design strategies, applications and perspectives

Organelles, crucial components within eukaryotic cells, play a vital role in sustaining normal physiological functions and cellular activities. The physiological role of a biomolecule in a cell is not only related to its concentration but also to its location within the cell. Misplacement of biomolecules within the cell can disrupt normal cellular functions. To comprehend the pathological impact of organelles and their associated signaling molecules in diseases, multiple assays have been devised to measure diverse organelle biomarkers. Small-molecule fluorescent probes, with advantages like high sensitivity, spatiotemporal resolution, reproducibility, and low toxicity, play an irreplaceable role in real-time, in situ biomarker imaging. Recently, the focus has shifted towards utilizing organelle-targeted fluorescent probes to identify pertinent biomarkers in diverse human diseases. This work reviews recent advancements in organelle-targeted small-molecule fluorescent probes, with a focus on their chemical structures, detection mechanisms, and applications.