Utilisation of tetraphenylethene-derived probes with aggregation-induced emission properties in fluorescence detection of biothiols

Abstract

Thiol-containing biomolecules (biothiols), including cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S), have crucial implications in human physiology and pathophysiology. They can be qualitatively and quantitatively analysed in the tissues of interest using sensitive and specific fluorescent probes, which may in turn reflect alternations in cellular activities and disease manifestations. In this regard, probes with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties are preferential owing to their enhanced emission in the aqueous environment present in biological systems. In this chapter, we review the recent progress in biothiol-specific probes that are derived from the well-documented tetraphenylethene (TPE) scaffold. In particular, we highlight their underlying reaction mechanisms with the target biothiol(s) and their applications in cell imaging where available.