A BODIPY-based fluorescent probe for rapid detection of NO in cells and zebrafish

Nitric oxide (NO) is a small biological molecule that plays a critical role in numerous physiopathological processes throughout the human body. An extensive array of studies has elucidated a robust correlation between pathological conditions and endogenous levels of NO. In this paper, we synthesized a BODIPY-based fluorescent probe, dubbed BDD, which has excellent ability to accurately detect NO. The presence of secondary amines of BDD enables it to engage in an N-nitrosation reaction with NO. This chemical interaction effectively disrupts the initial photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process, thereby facilitating the transition of BDD from a "turn-off" to a "turn-on" state. Moreover, BDD boasts several significant advantages including an expedient detection time (60 s), exceptional selectivity, and formidable anti-interference capabilities-factors that are indispensable for accurately detecting NO amidst complex environments. Furthermore, BDD demonstrates efficacy in discerning both endogenous and exogenous sources of NO within live cells and has been adeptly employed for imaging external substances in zebrafish.