The
study of biological histamine (HA) requires probes capable of ratiometric
photoluminescence detection of HA. We discovered that a monocycloplatinated
complex having two solvento ligands ([Pt(2-(2-naphthyl)quinolinate)(NCCH3)2]ClO4) could produce ratiometric phosphorescence
responses to HA in aerated aqueous solutions buffered to pH 7.4. The
HA response was characterized with a hypsochromic shift of an emission
peak wavelength from 635 to 567 nm. The corresponding phosphorescence
intensity ratio (i.e., I
567 nm/I
635 nm) increased from 0.26 to 1.90.
Spectroscopic and spectrometric investigations indicated an occurrence
of spontaneous displacement of the labile CH3CN ligands
with HA. An independently prepared HA adduct supported this notion.
The ratiometric phosphorescence responses to HA were highly tolerant
to other biological stimuli, including changes in pH and the presence
of biometals and biological Lewis bases such as amino acids, nucleosides,
biothiols, neurotransmitters, and small molecular metabolites. Of
note was the high selectivity toward HA over common biological ligands,
including histidine, cysteine, and homocysteine, which was ascribed
to tighter HA binding. Our phosphorescence measurements employing
Boc-protected derivatives of HA suggested that the bis-chelate motif
involving imidazolyl and terminal amino groups was crucial for eliciting
the ratiometric phosphorescence signaling. Finally, the bioimaging
utility of the HA probe was validated using RAW 264.7 macrophages
that were exogenously supplemented with HA or stimulated with thapsigargin
to enrich intracellular HA. Ratiometric phosphorescence imaging microscopy
experiments demonstrated the ability of the probe for monitoring intracellular
HA uptake. In addition, photoluminescence lifetime imaging microscopy
techniques could be applied for visualization of HA within the RAW
264.7 cells, because the HA binding elongated the photoluminescence
lifetime. Our study demonstrated the promising utility of inner-sphere
interactions of phosphorescent Pt(II) complexes for detection of biological
HA.