Monitoring mitochondrial ATP in live cells: An ATP multisite-binding fluorescence turn-on probe

A multisite-binding fluorescence turn-on probe of Rh6GNHPBA has been prepared in this study. The probe selectively responds to mitochondrion adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations. The fluorescence intensity of Rh6GNHPBA toward ATP was enhanced by approximately 51-fold in water at 1.0 mM. In particular, Rh6GNHPBA exhibited good selectivity to ATP, surpassing other anions due to a cooperative effect from multisite-binding recognition. Live-cell imaging indicates that Rh6GNHPBA locates mainly into mitochondria with good biocompatibility. The results demonstrate that Rh6GNHPBA is a useful probe for the monitoring of mitochondria ATP-relevant processes.