Organelle-targeting metal complexes: From molecular design to bio-applications

Kangqiang Qiu, Yu Chen, Thomas W. Rees, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao

Index: 10.1016/j.ccr.2017.10.022

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Abstract

Cellular organelles, such the cytomembrane, lysosome, mitochondrion, Golgi apparatus, the endoplasmic reticulum, and nucleus, play important roles in the normal function of cells. Organelle-targeting bioimaging can aid our understanding of how organelles function, while the development of organelle-targeting therapy could deliver treatment for a variety of diseases. Possessing important advantages such as their photophysical properties, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake mechanisms, metal complexes for organelle-targeting bio-applications have attracted increasing attention in recent years. In this review, organelle-targeting regulating strategies, and the characteristics of organelle-targeting metal complexes as well as their bio-applications are summarized. Moreover, the existing opportunities/challenges of organelle targeting are outlined and emphasized to inspire the design of a new generation of organelle-targeting metal complexes.