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Biothiol-specific fluorescent probes with aggregation-induced emission characteristics

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Abstract

Biothiols are important species in physiological processes such as regulating protein structures, redox homeostasis and cell signalling. Alternation in the biothiol levels is associated with various pathological processes, therefore non-invasive fluorescent probes with high specificity to biothiols are highly desirable research utilities. Meanwhile, fluorescent probes with aggregation-induced emission properties (AIEgens) possess unique photophysical properties that allow modulation of the sensing process through controlling the aggregation-disaggregation or the intramolecular rotational motions of the fluorophores. Herein we review the recent progress in the development of biothiol-specific AIEgens. In particular, the molecular design principles to target different types of biothiols and the corresponding sensing mechanisms are discussed, along with the potential of the future design and development of multi-functional bioprobes.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Australian Research Council (DE170100058) and Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia

    Siyang Ding, Mengjie Liu & Yuning Hong

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  1. Siyang Ding
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  2. Mengjie Liu
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  3. Yuning Hong
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Correspondence to Yuning Hong.

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Ding, S., Liu, M. & Hong, Y. Biothiol-specific fluorescent probes with aggregation-induced emission characteristics. Sci. China Chem. 61, 882–891 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-018-9300-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-018-9300-5

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