Carbazole-based mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probes for in vivo viscosity and cyanide detection in cells and zebrafish.

Cells of most eukaryotic species contain mitochondria, which play a role in physiological processes such as cellular senescence, metabolism, and autophagy. Viscosity is considered a key marker for many illnesses and is involved in several crucial physiological processes. Cyanide (CN) can target cytochrome-c oxidase, disrupting the mitochondrial electron transport chain and causing cell death through asphyxiation.