Red Light Penetrates Cell Walls! A New Sensor for Real-Time Imaging of Nitric Oxide in Plant Tissues

📚 Reference InformationTitle: Construction of a biocompatible supramolecular sensor for fluorescence imaging of Nitric oxide in plant tissuesAuthors: Shuang Cao, Chenglin Su, Qijun Sun et al. (2025)Journal: Biosensors and Bioelectronics

🔍 Core Issues

  • Research Objective: To develop a red light fluorescence sensor with high biocompatibility for dynamic, in situ imaging of nitric oxide (NO) in plant tissues.

  • Existing Limitations: Traditional NO probes emit at shorter wavelengths and have poor tissue penetration; organic small molecule probes are prone to quenching, have low biocompatibility, and are difficult to use for imaging in living plants.

🚀 Innovations

  • Red Light AIE Probe: Designed and synthesized a red light molecule AIENAP with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics, emitting at a wavelength of 615 nm with a Stokes shift of up to 180 nm and strong penetration capability.

  • Supramolecular Encapsulation: Constructed a β-CD/AIENAP complex through β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) encapsulation to enhance fluorescence intensity, improve biocompatibility, and achieve cell wall penetration (particle size ≈ 7 nm).

  • Rapid Specific Response: The probe reacts with NO via ortho-phenylenediamine to form a triazole structure, completing the response within 2 minutes, with a detection limit as low as 77 nM and strong anti-interference capability.

📊 Research Methods

  • Molecular Design: Using naphthalimide as the parent structure, introduced triphenylamine electron-donating groups to achieve red light emission, with ortho-phenylenediamine as the NO recognition group.

  • Supramolecular Assembly: Encapsulated AIENAP into the β-CD cavity through host-guest interactions, restricting intramolecular motion and enhancing fluorescence.

  • Performance Validation:

    • Spectral Analysis: Systematically studied the optical properties, response time, pH stability, and selectivity of the probe.

    • Theoretical Calculations: Combined DFT and IGM analysis to verify host-guest interactions and the PET fluorescence activation mechanism.

    • Plant Imaging: Utilized confocal microscopy for in situ dynamic imaging of NO in the roots and leaves of wheat, rice, and soybean.

✅ Key Results

  • High Sensitivity and Selectivity: The detection limit for NO is 77 nM, demonstrating excellent selectivity among 18 interfering substances (including ROS, ions, and plant metabolites).

  • Good Biocompatibility: β-CD encapsulation significantly reduces AIENAP toxicity, with FDA activity tests confirming its harmlessness to plant cells.

  • Dynamic Monitoring Capability: Successfully tracked the dynamic changes of endogenous NO in plants under salt stress, cadmium stress, and aluminum stress, and verified the effect of exogenous NO in alleviating stress.

  • Cross-Tissue Imaging: The probe can penetrate cell walls, enabling localization and three-dimensional imaging of intracellular NO, with a depth of up to 60 μm.

📌 DisclaimerThis article is an academic interpretation and not the original content. Please refer to the original literature for citations:DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2025.118205

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