甲醛(FA)具有高反应活性和短的检测半衰期, 广泛分布于生物体内和环境中。正常浓度范围的甲醛可以参与一碳循环, 维持人体代谢稳态, 而甲醛浓度的异常波动又会诱导机体病变, 导致一系列疾病。实时测量甲醛在活细胞和组织中的浓度、持续时间和位置, 对于破译甲醛的生理或病理功能、诊断和治疗甲醛诱发的疾病具有重要意义。有机小分子荧光探针具有灵敏度高、膜通透性好、实时原位分析、生物损伤小、操作方便等显著优势, 是能够在时间和空间上实时监测细胞内甲醛浓度与分布的一种强大的非侵入性工具。近年来, 一系列小分子荧光探针被开发出来用于生物体内甲醛的检测。本文将对这些用于生物体内甲醛可视化检测的荧光探针从识别机理(席夫碱反应、Aza-Cope重排)和荧光开启方式两方面进行阐述, 并展望甲醛荧光探针的设计和研发方向。

Formaldehyde has high reactivity and a short detection half-life, and is widely distributed in organisms and the environment. Formaldehyde in the normal concentration range can participate in one-carbon cycle to maintain the body’s metabolic homeostasis, and abnormal fluctuations in formaldehyde concentration can induce body lesions to lead to a series of diseases. Real-time measurement of the concentration, duration and location of formaldehyde in living cells and tissues is of great significance for deciphering the physiological or pathological function of formaldehyde and diagnosing and treating formaldehyde-induced diseases. With significant advantages such as high sensitivity, good membrane permeability, real-time in situ analysis, small biological damage, and easy operation, the organic small molecule fluorescent probe is a powerful non-invasive tool that can monitor the concentration and distribution of formaldehyde in cells in real time and space. In recent years, a series of small molecule fluorescent probes have been developed for the detection of formaldehyde in living organisms. In this paper, these fluorescent probes for the visual detection of formaldehyde in organisms are summarized from recognition mechanism and fluorescence opening method these two aspects. The recognition mechanism involve Schiff base reaction, Aza-Corearrangement. And the design and development direction of formaldehyde fluorescent probes are prospected.