Xiaohuan Huang, Ying Han, Junrong Li, Mingliang Tang, and Guangyan Qing*

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2023, DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04703-w

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-023-04703-w

    Increasing evidence supports the critical role of saccharides in various pathophysiological steps of tumor progression, where they regulate tumor proliferation, invasion, hematogenic metastasis, and angiogenesis. The identification and recognition of these saccharide recognition provide a solid foundation for the development of targeted drug preparations, which are however not fully understood due to their complex and similar structures. In order to achieve fluorescence sensing of saccharides, extensive research has been conducted to design molecular probes and nanoparticles made of different materials. This paper aims to provide in-depth discussion of three main topics that cover the current status of the carbohydrate sensing based on fluorescence sensing mechanism, including phenylboronic acid-based sensing platform, non-boronic acid entities, as well as enzyme-based sensing platform. It also highlights the efforts made to understand recognition mechanisms and improve the sensing properties of these systems. At the end, we present the challenge of achieving high selectivity and sensitivity recognition of saccharide, and suggest possible future avenues for exploration.