Mitophagy is a vital cellular process playing vital roles in regulating cellular metabolism and mitochondrial quality control. Mitochondrial viscosity is a key microenvironmental index, closely associated with mitochondrial status. To monitor mitophagy and mitochondrial viscosity, three molecular rotors (Mito-1, Mito-2, and Mito-3) were developed. All probes contain a cationic quinolinium unit and a C12 chain so that they can tightly bind mitochondria and are not affected by the mitochondrial membrane potential. Optical studies showed that all ...
