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Visualizing Single Molecular Complexes In Vivo Using Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy

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Fluorescent half-sandwich iridium picolinamidate complexes for in-cell visualization.

Sohini Bose¹, Hieu D Nguyen¹, Anh H Ngo¹

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, United States.

Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry

|June 7, 2022

Summary

Researchers developed fluorescent iridium catalysts for transfer hydrogenation. These novel catalysts are taken up by cells and localize to mitochondria and lysosomes, enabling intracellular tracking for biological studies.

Keywords:

Fluorescence Half-sandwich complexes Iridium Transfer hydrogenation

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Area of Science:

Organometallic Chemistry
Catalysis
Bioimaging

Background:

Half-sandwich iridium complexes are valuable catalysts.
Fluorescent probes are essential for tracking molecules within cells.
Integrating catalytic activity with fluorescence is a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop novel fluorescent half-sandwich iridium complexes.
To evaluate their catalytic activity in transfer hydrogenation.
To assess their cellular uptake, localization, and potential for bioimaging.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of iridium complexes with conjugated boron-dipyrromethene (bodipy) dyes.
Catalytic studies in H2O/THF mixtures for transfer hydrogenation.
Cellular uptake and cytotoxicity assays (IC50) using NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblast cells.
Fluorescence microscopy for intracellular localization analysis.

Main Results:

Fluorescent iridium complexes were successfully synthesized.
The complexes exhibited catalytic activity in transfer hydrogenation comparable to non-fluorescent analogs.
Significant cellular uptake was observed, with IC50 values in the 20-70 μM range.
Intracellular localization was primarily in mitochondria and lysosomes, excluding the nucleus.

Conclusions:

Fluorescent iridium complexes can be effectively synthesized using a fluorophore attachment strategy.
These complexes retain catalytic activity and can be tracked within living cells.
Their localization in mitochondria and lysosomes suggests potential for targeted biological studies and intracellular catalyst tracking.