A novel endoplasmic reticulum-targeted ratiometric fluorescent probe based on FRET for the detection of SO2 derivatives

Abstract A novel FRET-based fluorescence probe, NBIS, constructed by benzoindole-based hemicyanine as an acceptor and naphthalimide derivatives as a donor was developed for the detecting of sulfur dioxide (SO2) derivatives. Probe NBIS exhibited high energy transfer efficiency (89%) and showed high sensitivity (LOD: 16.2 nM) toward HSO3−/SO32−. Probe NBIS could target the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and was applied to image exogenous and endogenous HSO3−/SO32− in living cells.