A three-channel fluorescent probe that distinguishes peroxynitrite from hypochlorite.

A novel fluorescent probe for peroxynitrite, PN(600), was rationally designed on the basis of a unique fluorophore assembly approach. PN(600) is a green-emitting coumarin derivative. Upon oxidation by peroxynitrite, PN(600) is transformed into a highly fluorescent red-emitting resorufin derivative via an orange-emitting intermediate. This three-channel signaling capability enables PN(600) to differentiate peroxynitrite from other reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, including hypochlorite and hydroxyl radical. Moreover, PN(600) is membrane-permeable and compatible with common TRITC filter sets and displays low cytotoxicity. Therefore, PN(600) is a promising candidate for in vitro peroxynitrite imaging.