Mitochondria-targeted ruthenium (II) polypyridyl complexes with benzofuran group for live cell imaging

Labeling and imaging mitochondria have attracted considerable interest because of its involvement in early stage apoptosis and necrotic cell death. Various highly specific and photostable fluorescent probes for mitochondria are in demand. In the present study, two novel Ru(II) polypyridine complexes Ru1 and Ru2 were developed to act as mitochondrial fluorescence probes. In comparison with the commercially available mitochondrial trackers, Ru1 possesses high mitochondria-specificity, superior photostability, high resistance to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and appreciable tolerance to environmental change, allowing imaging of the mitochondrial morphological changes over long periods of time. Combined results indicate that Ru1 may contribute to the future development of staining agents for organelle-selective imaging in living cells.