Red emission cysteine probe with high selectivity based on fluorescent protein chromophores and turn-on fluorescence in cell cultures

Abstract Cysteine (Cys) plays a vital role in many physiological processes, and also is closely related to various diseases, thus the development of novel high selectivity and sensitivity fluorescent probes for in situ monitoring of biothiol (Cys) is crucial. Herein, we present a fluorogenic method to detect Cys in vitro and live cells based on fluorescent protein chromophores, which have been modulated by chemical reaction. Probe (RFP) is a fluorescence turn on probe with red emission wavelength and large Stokes shift (127 nm). This Michael-addition reaction-based probe exhibits low detection limit (18.7 μM), fast response time, and low cytotoxicity. RFP can differentiate the Cys and Hcy, using the difference of reaction time between probe and Cys or Hcy. Together, this probe exhibited excellent cell permeability, and can be successfully applied to detect the endogenous Cys in living cells.