A Novel Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of β-Galactosidase in Living Cells

Summary of main observation and conclusion β-Galactosidase, a glycoside hydrolase enzyme, has been proved to be an important biomarker of cell senescence and primary ovarian cancer. Effective detection of β-galactosidase has attracted wide attention. Herein, one ratiometric fluorescent probe has been successfully synthesized for detecting the β-galactosidase in living cells. The as-prepared probe exhibits two emission peaks at 490 nm and 530 nm, respectively, and the ratio of fluorescence intensities from the two emission peaks could be utilized to monitor the β-galactosidase. This present ratiometric fluorescent probe is, therefore, very promising for effective, sensitive, and selective detection of the β-galactosidase in living cells.