A dual-responsive Golgi-targeting probe for the simultaneous fluorescence detection of SO2 and viscosity in food specimens and live cells

The Golgi apparatus is responsible for regulating the transport of proteins. Research has revealed that an increase in viscosity and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) levels in the Golgi are associated with many diseases. Unfortunately, no probes currently exist to simultaneously measure variations in viscosity and SO 2 in the Golgi apparatus. With this research, we modified a coumarin-cyanoacetamide probe ( 1 ) with a sulfanilamide moiety for targeting the Golgi apparatus. Probe 1 could respond to viscosity increases by exhibiting fluorescence enhancements at 590 nm due to the inhibition of intramolecular rotation. Moreover, the nucleophilic attack of the C=C bond by HSO 3 − resulted in creating a conjugate addition product that generated a blue emission band at 480 nm. Significantly, this probe can identify HSO 3 − in real water samples and food specimens, as well as monitor HSO 3 − levels and changes of viscosity in the Golgi apparatus of plants, live cells, and zebrafish. • A coumarin-cyanoacetamide probe 1 was designed with a sulfanilamide moiety for Golgi-targeting. • Probe 1 exhibited excellent dual response to HSO 3 − and viscosity changes. • Probe 1 was used to detect HSO 3 − in real water samples and food specimens. • Probe 1 was used for bioimaging HSO 3 − and viscosity changes in the Golgi of HeLa cells, Arabidopsis thaliana , and zebrafish.