A Lysosomal Targeting Fluorescent Probe and Its Zinc Imaging in SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells

Zinc plays a significant role in oxidative balance and central nervous systems. Herein, we reported a highly sensitive fluorescent probe DR, bearing a morpholine group and a BPEN ligand in the naphthalimide fluorophore. Upon Zn2+ binding, DR exhibited remarkable fluorescence enhancement, and showed high sensitivity to Zn2+ with the association constant of 4.9×108L/mol, and the detection limit of 15nmol/L. Confocal imaging experiments indicated that DR was able to localize to lysosomes in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, upon H2O2 stimulation in SH-SY5Y cells, endogenous release of Zn2+ was observed.