Light-triggered
carbon monoxide (CO) delivery molecules are of
significant current interest for evaluating the role of CO in biology
and as potential therapeutics. Herein we report the first example
of a metal free CO delivery molecule that can be tracked via confocal
microscopy at low micromolar concentrations in cells prior to CO release.
The NEt2-appended extended flavonol (4) localizes
to the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and lysosomes. Subcellular
localization of 4 results in CO-induced toxicity effects
that are distinct as compared to a nonlocalized analog. Anti-inflammatory
effects of 4, as measured by TNF-α suppression,
occur at the nanomolar level in the absence of CO release, and are
enhanced with visible-light-induced CO release. Overall, the highly
trackable nature of 4 enables studies of the biological
effects of both a localized flavonol and CO release at low micromolar
to nanomolar concentrations.
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