A ratiometric pH probe for acidification tracking in dysfunctional mitochondria and tumour tissue in vivo .

Cellular dysregulated pH and mitochondrial metabolism are commonly two central factors for solid tumour progression. pH regulation and long-term mitochondrial tracking provide a great opportunity for tumour treatment. pH probes with suitable p K a and satisfactory mitochondria-immobilizing character are demanded for tumour recognition and therapy. Here, we report a ratiometric fluorescent probe, CouDa, for pH imaging in mitochondria and tumour tissue. CouDa displays an obvious blue-shifted emission (about 160 nm) in alkaline environment, with a p K a around 7.4 suitable for monitoring mitochondrial pH change. NMR and MS data confirmed an addition reaction mechanism of OH - upon the positively charged conjugated structure of hemicyanine fluorophore. Mitochondrial immobilization and acidification monitoring were realized by CouDa in cells treated with a mitochondrial uncoupler. Moreover, CouDa could distinguish acidified tumour tissue in living mice. Comparing with its analogue, the pH-sensitivity and mitochondria-immobilizing property are attributed to a hydrophobic long alkyl chain on indolium N atom. This work provides an effective strategy to track nucleophilic substances in dysfunctional mitochondria.