Dual/Multi-responsive fluorogenic probes for multiple analytes in mitochondria: From design to applications

As the “powerhouse” of the cells, mitochondria participate in numerous energy metabolism processes. Abnormal structure and function of mitochondria will affect the activities of living cell, leading to pathological changes including degenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, genetic diseases, and tumors. Early diagnosis and treatment of mitochondrial diseases are essential to improve the survival rate of patients. Therefore, rapid, sensitive and simultaneous detection of multiple analytes of mitochondrial diseases is of great importance for human health. In recent years, dual/multi-responsive fluorogenic probes (DMRFPs) with specific recognition functions and selective signal readout/conversion for analytes in mitochondria have been developed. In this review, we have summarized the recent advances in DMRFPs for analytes detection in mitochondria such as simultaneous detection of i) microenvironment and related analytes, ii) redox species and iii) other analytes in mitochondria and given a brief perspective on the design of DMRFPs and their applications to inspire the new generation of mitochondrial-targeting DMRFPs.