A bifunctional fluorescent probe based on "AND logic" for the simultaneous recognition of HS/HNO and its bioimaging applications.

The reaction of NO and HS 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 HS and HNO. It is necessary to develop a bifunctional fluorescence probe (NJA) for monitoring simultaneously the production of endogenous HNO and HS. 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 HS 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 HS and NO in living cells.