title: Applications of luminescent inorganic and organometallic transition metal complexes as biomolecular and cellular probes.
abstract: The rich photophysical properties of luminescent inorganic and organometallic transition metal complexes, such as their intense, long-lived, and environment-sensitive emission, render them excellent candidates for biological and cellular studies. In this Perspective, we review examples of biological probes derived from luminescent transition metal complexes with a d(6), d(8), or d(10) metal center. The design of luminescent covalent labels and noncovalent probes for protein molecules is discussed. Additionally, the recent applications of these complexes as cellular probes and bioimaging reagents are described. Emphasis is put on the structural features, photophysical behavior, biomolecular interactions, cellular uptake, and intracellular localization properties of luminescent transition metal complexes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P. R. China. bhkenlo@cityu.edu.hk
authors.forename: Kenneth Kam-Wing
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Alex Wing-Tat
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Wendell Ho-Tin
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Law
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002477:Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D049408:Luminescent Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D028561:Transition Elements / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D049408:Luminescent Agents; D015335:Molecular Probes; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011506:Proteins; D028561:Transition Elements