FLUORO/NO: A Nitric Oxide Donor with a Fluorescence Reporter

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) plays significant signalling roles in cells; the controlled generation of NO is of therapeutic relevance. Although a number of methods for the delivery and detection of NO are available, these events are typically mutually exclusive. Furthermore, the efficiency of delivery of NO can be compromised by detection technologies that consume NO. Here, we report FLUORO/NO, an esterase‐activated diazeniumdiolate‐based NO donor with an in‐built fluorescence reporter. We demonstrate that this compound is capable of enhancing NO within cells in a dose‐dependent manner, accompanied by a similar increase in fluorescence. The compatibility of this tool to study NO‐mediated signalling as well as NO‐mediated stress is demonstrated. FLUORO/NO is a convenient tool that shows NO‐like activity and allows monitoring of NO release. This tool will help interrogate the redox biology of NO.