Revealing the elevation of Zn 2+ in the brain of depressed mice by a ratiometric fluorescent probe with dual near-infrared emissions.

A mitochondria-targeted ratiometric fluorescent probe (Mito-Zn) was first designed and synthesized with dual emissions both located in the near-infrared region, for Zn 2+ detection with high sensitivity and selectivity. By using the developed Mito-Zn, a high level of Zn 2+ in the depressed mouse brain was discovered for the first time.