A dual-channel fluorescent probe for monitoring pH changes in lysosomes during autophagy

Autophagy is the process of lysosomal degradation and removal of abnormal or damaged organelles, which plays a pivotal role in a variety of physiological states and involves a variety of pathological processes. Moreover, acidic pH environments of lysosomes can induce and promote autophagy levels. Therefore, it is significant to distinguish between neutral and acidic lysosomes in the process of autophagy. Herein, a dual-channel signal fluorescent probe RD based on two fluorophores was developed for detecting lysosomal pH changes in living cells during the starvation-induced autophagy process. The dual fluorophores of the probe RD made the detection of lysosomal pH changes during autophagy more accurate and visual. More importantly, the probe RD realizes the visualization of distinguishing between natural lysosomes and acidic lysosomes during autophagy in living cells.