Bioluminescent probe for hydrogen peroxide imaging in vitro and in vivo.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) often have significant roles in mediating redox modifications and other essential physiological processes, such as biological process regulation and signal transduction. Considering that H2O2 is a substantial member of ROS, detection and quantitation of H2O2 undertakes important but urgent responsibility. In this report, a bioluminescent probe for detecting H2O2 was well designed, synthesized, and evaluated. This probe was designed into three parts: a H2O2-sensitive aryl boronic acid, a bioluminescent aminoluciferin moiety, and a self-immolative linker. After extensive evaluation, this probe can selectively and sensitively react with H2O2 to release aminoluciferin. It should be pointed out that this probe is a potential bioluminescent sensor for H2O2 since it can provide a promising toolkit for real-time detection of the H2O2 level in vitro, in cellulo, and in vivo.