A resorufin-based fluorescence probe for visualizing biogenic amines in cells and zebrafish

Biogenic amines (BAs) are a family of nitrogen-bearing natural organic molecules with at least one primary amine, which play an important role in living organisms. Elevated concentration of BAs may cause neuron disorder, Parkinson's disease and many other diseases. Therefore, it is essential to monitor BAs in living organisms. Herein, we reported a resorufin-based fluorescence probe for sensing of various BAs. Upon nucleophilic substitution reaction with BAs, the probe released resorufin, affording to strong fluorescence emission at 592 nm with rapid response (<8 min), good selectivity and a low detection limit (LOD = 0.47 μM). The probe has low cytotoxicity and good membrane permeability, and has been successfully used to visualize BAs in living cells and zebrafish with good performance.