Fluorescent bioimaging of pH: from design to applications.
Protons play crucial roles in many physiological and pathological processes, such as receptor-mediated signal transduction, ion transport, endocytosis, homeostasis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. The urgent demand for pH imaging and measurement in biological systems has incited the development of fluorescent pH probes. Numerous fluorescent probes have been reported, but many lack the abilities needed for biological applications. Hence, the development of new pH probes with better biocompatibility, sensitivity, and site-specificity is still indispensable. This review highlights the recent trends in the development of fluorescent materials as essential tools for tracing pH variations in the biological processes of diverse living systems.
Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea. jongskim@korea.ac.kr.
Ji-Ting
JT
Hou
Wen Xiu
WX
Ren
Kun
K
Li
Jinho
J
Seo
Amit
A
Sharma
Xiao-Qi
XQ
Yu
Jong Seung
JS
Kim
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D053758:Nanoparticles; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes