Coumarin-based fluorescent probes for the detection of copper (II) and imaging in mice of Wilson's disease

Copper is an essential redox-active metal nutrient, with tightly regulated homeostasis. Copper homeostasis is closely linked to various diseases, making it a critical area of study. Fluorescent probes serve as powerful tools for investigating these conditions. In this study, a fluorescent probe, Con-Cu400 for detecting Cu2+ was developed. Con-Cu400 exhibited a strong "turn-on" fluorescence signal in response to Cu2+, demonstrating high selectivity and sensitivity. Con-Cu400 also exhibited good biocompatibility and was successfully employed for fluorescence sensing of Cu2+ in both cellular and mouse models under conditions of normal, copper-depleted, and copper- overloaded. This probe effectively detected elevated Cu2+ levels in the livers of mice with Wilson's disease. This work may contribute to the broader application of fluorescent probes in studying Cu2+ dysregulation-related diseases in cellular and animal models.