Recent advances in Zn2+ imaging: From organelles to in vivo applications

Zn2+ is involved in various physiological and pathological processes in living systems. Monitoring the dynamic spatiotemporal changes of Zn2+ levels in organelles, cells, and in vivo is of great importance for the investigation of the physiological and pathological functions of Zn2+. However, this task is quite challenging since Zn2+ in living systems is present at low concentrations and undergoes rapid dynamic changes. In this review, we summarize the design and application of fluorescent probes for Zn2+ imaging in organelles, cells, and live organisms reported over the past two years. We aim to provide inspiration for the design of novel Zn2+ probes for multi-level monitoring and deepen the understanding of Zn2+ biology.