Multiple-Color Platinum Complex with Super-Large Stokes Shift for Super-Resolution Imaging of Autolysosome Escape

Abstract

It is of great significance to track the platinum drugs in real time with super-resolution to elucidate their mechanism of action, such as their behavior and distribution in live cells. Such information is required for further drug development. However, it is always challenging to design platinum complexes suitable for such research. Herein, we design a luminescent building block (L) for metal complexes and a dinuclear platinum complex (Pt₂ L) for super-resolution imaging. Because of its super-large Stokes shift and excellent photophysical properties, Pt₂ L is capable of serving as an ideal candidate for super-resolution imaging with extremely low luminescence background and high photobleaching resistance. Moreover, upon light stimulation, a matter flux of Pt₂ L escaping from autolysosomes to nucleus was observed, which represents a new transportation path. Utilizing the photoactivated escape properties, we can regulate the nuclear accessibility of Pt₂ L form autolysosomes with photo-selectivity, which provides a new way to improve the targeting of platinum drugs.

Keywords: Stokes shift; autolysosome; platinum complexes; real-time tracking; super-resolution imaging.