A Mitochondria-Specific Fluorescent Probe for Visualizing Endogenous Hydrogen Cyanide Fluctuations in Neurons.

An ability to visualize HCN in mitochondria in real time may permit additional insights into the critical toxicological and physiological roles this classic toxin plays in living organisms. Herein, we report a mitochondria-specific coumarin pyrrolidinium-derived fluorescence probe (MRP1) that permits the real-time ratiometric imaging of HCN in living cells. The response is specific, sensitive (detection limit is ca. 65.6 nM), rapid (within 1 s), and reversible. Probe MRP1 contains a benzyl chloride subunit designed to enhance retention within the mitochondria under conditions where the mitochondria membrane potential is eliminated. It has proved effective in visualizing different concentrations of exogenous HCN in the mitochondria of HepG2 cells, as well as the imaging of endogenous HCN in the mitochondria of PC12 cells and within neurons. Fluctuations in HCN levels arising from the intracellular generation of HCN could be readily detected.