A selenolactone-based fluorescent chemodosimeter to monitor mecury/methylmercury species in vitro and in vivo

A fluorescent probe based on selenolactone displays unique fluorescence enhancement and UV–vis spectral change for mercury/methylmercury species, which were attributed to deselenation reaction. The value of this system was successfully demonstrated by its use in detecting inorganic mercury/methylmercury species in cells and zebrafish.