Metal Peptide Conjugates in Cell and Tissue Imaging and Biosensing

Metal complex luminophores have seen dramatic expansion in application as imaging probes over the past decade. This has been enabled by growing understanding of methods to promote their cell permeation and intracellular targeting. Amongst the successful approaches that have been applied in this regard is peptide-facilitated delivery. Cell-permeating or signal peptides can be readily conjugated to metal complex luminophores and have shown excellent response in carrying such cargo through the cell membrane. In this article, we describe the rationale behind applying metal complexes as probes and sensors in cell imaging and outline the advantages to be gained by applying peptides as the carrier for complex luminophores. We describe some of the progress that has been made in applying peptides in metal complex peptide-driven conjugates as a strategy for cell permeation and targeting of transition metal luminophores. Finally, we provide key examples of their application and outline areas for future progress.

Automated summary

Metal complex luminophores have been widely applied as imaging probes in cell imaging due to the use of peptide-facilitated delivery. The conjugation of cell-permeating or signal peptides to metal complex luminophores allows efficient transportation across the cell membrane. This article discusses the rationale behind using metal complexes as probes and sensors in cell imaging and highlights the advantages of using peptides as carriers for complex luminophores. The article also presents progress in applying peptides in metal complex peptide-driven conjugates for cell permeation and targeting.