Lipophilic ruthenium complexes with tuned cell membrane affinity and photoactivated uptake

Ruthenium(II) Metallo‐intercalators: DNA Imaging and Cytotoxicity

“…[13] In other work, Ru II (dppz) systems modified with alkyl chains were shown to demonstrate DNA staining in fixed cells but limited uptake in live cells, and required photoactivated cellular uptake. [14] Taken together, these studies highlight the importance of how control of the hydrophobicity of the ligands can modify the cellular uptake of the complex, but also illustrate how the ability to target cellular DNA can be hindered by such a strategy.…”

Highly DNA‐Photoreactive Ruthenium 1,4,5,8‐Tetraazaphenanthrene Complex Conjugated to the TAT Peptide: Efficient Vectorization inside HeLa Cells without Phototoxicity – The Importance of Cellular Distribution

“…Moreover, after cell penetration, they are released from endosomes inside the cells and can then reach the nucleus. [14,17] In those cases, the light modifies the cellular distribution, which also depends on the chirality of the complexes, as has been highlighted for a dinuclear Ru II complex. [18] Strategies to enhance the uptake of metal complexes by living cells consist of tethering them to penetrating agents such as nanoparticles, [19] hormones, [20] or peptides.…”

“…Generally, Ru II complexes have rather good singlet-oxygen photosensitization quantum yields, [16] which explains their capacity to alter cellular membranes. [14] Therefore, after irradiation, the cell membranes become permeable, and the Ru II complex can penetrate into the cell rather easily. [11] This photoinduced internalization was demonstrated with complexes bearing modified dppz ligands.…”

Effect of Substituents on Phenazine Derivatives by Spectral Studies

“…[8]. The structure activity relationship of phototoxic Fe(III)-phenazine complex was reported by Saha et al [9] This phenazine ligand was applied for synthesizing Ru(II) Light Switch complexes [3], and its DNA-Binding [3], photo cleavage [4], spectral properties [1], DNA-Non covalent cross linking with nano particles [10], excited state behaviours in presence of nucleic acids [2], electronic properties [11], DNA mediated energy transfer [12], electrochemical characterization [13], metal based inhibitor of NEDD8-activating enzyme [14], tuned cell membrane affinity [15], synthesis of poly ketones [16], and photo oxidations [1]. Nair et al, have studied the optical properties of phenazine-Ru complexes [17].…”