A rhodamine derivative-based fluorescent probe for visual monitoring of pH changes in the Golgi apparatus

The pH homeostasis of Golgi plays a vital role in maintaining normal cell functions. An effective near-infrared fluorescent probe that can sense pH changes in Golgi apparatus is of great significance. Here, a Golgi-targeting fluorescent probe ( Golgi-hNR) based on a rhodamine derivative is presented to show a highly sensitive response to pH variations. Golgi-hNR displays a conspicuous pH-dependent behavior at 664 nm from pH 7.4–3.0 with a remarkable fluorescence off-on response. The pKa value of Golgi-hNR is measured to be 3.62. Confocal fluorescence imaging reveals that Golgi-hNR diffuses into Golgi with high selectivity . Using Golgi-hNR , we have successfully visualized real-time tracking of Golgi pH variations for medical therapy in living cells.