Fluorescent probes to investigate nitric oxide and other reactive nitrogen species in biology (truncated form: fluorescent probes of reactive nitrogen species).

Reactive nitrogen species (RNS), such as nitric oxide and its higher oxides, play important roles in cell signaling during many physiological and pathological events. Elucidation of the exact functions of these important biomolecules has been hampered by the inability to detect RNS reliably under biological conditions. A surge of research into RNS chemistry has resulted in the design of a new generation of fluorescent probes that are specific and sensitive for their respective RNS analytes. Progress in the field of nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, and nitroxyl sensing promises to advance our knowledge of important signaling events involving these species and lead to a better understanding of oxidative biochemistry crucial to health and disease. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.