A fast-response and highly specific Si-Rhodamine probe for endogenous peroxynitrite detection in living cells.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. We designed and synthesized a fluorescent probe SiNH based on Si-rhodamine. The nanoprobe SiNH encapsulated within the amphiphilic copolymer exhibited fast response within 10 s, and it was highly specific for ONOO- in aqueous solution. It is demonstrated that the nanoprobe SiNH is applicable for real-time tracing of endogenous ONOO- in living cells.